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1 month ago

Planning commission rejects rezoning to allow 5–6 person group home at 3820 11th Street The commission recommended denial (6–5 with one abstention) of a rezoning request from Grace Hands Homes to convert a 4-bedroom house at 3820 11th Street into a group living use for older adults and veterans; staff recommended limiting any group living use to four residents because of parking and bedroom counts.

Des Moines commissioners have voted to deny a controversial rezoning request that could have provided vital housing for older adults and veterans, sparking heated community debate.

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1 month ago

Des Moines planning commission approves rezoning for 33-unit development near Easter Lake The Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission voted March 5 to recommend rezoning of a 6.5-acre parcel near Southeast 27th Street to allow 16 duplexes and one single-family home (33 units) with seven staff conditions; the proposal drew neighborhood opposition and will require a supermajority at city council.

Des Moines is set for a major transformation as the Planning Commission backs a controversial plan for 33 new homes, but will the neighborhood embrace the change?

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1 month ago

Des Moines council approves towing contract, agrees to work session on private-towing rules Council authorized a city towing contract with Crow Auto Service Inc. but, after residents’ testimony and council debate, approved a separate motion to hold a work session and bring an ordinance on private-towing regulation to a future agenda.

Des Moines City Council has taken a bold step to regulate aggressive towing practices, ensuring better protections for residents facing high fees and unclear policies.

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2 months ago

Des Moines staff, Animal Rescue League propose smaller reclaim fees, first-time waivers and other changes to ease reunification City staff and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa asked the council to approve a package of fee changes intended to reduce barriers for low-income pet owners to reclaim animals: modest license increases, a first-time reclaim waiver, lower microchip cost and higher boarding rates to reflect care costs. Council asked staff to return with ordinance language and impact numbers, with a tentative 24-month trial for the waiver.

Des Moines is making it easier for low-income pet owners to reclaim their furry friends with new fee proposals aimed at boosting adoptions and reducing shelter stays!

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2 months ago

Polk County Housing Trust shows region’s federally backed affordable housing and flags 13 properties at risk of losing affordability Polk County Housing Trust presented a preservation database and interactive maps showing about 10,811 federally backed units in the region, 176 properties reviewed, and 13 properties at risk of losing affordability in the next five years (seven in Des Moines). Trust staff urged proactive preservation and offered per-ward detail for council follow-up.

Polk County is taking a proactive step to protect affordable housing by unveiling an interactive database that reveals 13 properties at risk of losing their income restrictions in the next five years.

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3 months ago

Des Moines names Jonathan Lund as next fire chief; council confirmation set for Monday The City of Des Moines announced Jonathan Lund, the city’s fire marshal, as its next fire chief. The nomination goes before the City Council Monday; with council support Lund is slated to begin Dec. 23. Lund outlined a 30–60 day assessment and a year-long transition plan.

Des Moines has chosen Jonathan Lund, the current fire marshal, to lead as the new fire chief, promising innovative changes and a commitment to firefighter safety starting December 23!

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3 months ago

Des Moines Council directs manager to negotiate DART franchise-fee split after heated debate The Des Moines City Council voted Dec. 22 to instruct the city manager to negotiate terms with DART over a proposed franchise-fee allocation that would send 70% to transit and retain 30% for local priorities. Councilors traded sharp questions about regional fairness, service cuts and ramifications for police and fire funding.

Des Moines City Council just voted to allocate 70% of a new franchise fee to DART, igniting a fierce debate over funding and regional transit services!

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3 months ago

Votes at a glance: Des Moines City Council adopts 2024 codes, approves contracts, rezones properties and advances redevelopment talks On Dec. 8 the Des Moines City Council approved multiple ordinances and contracts, including adoption of 2024 building and fire codes, award of bids for Second Avenue and McKinley Avenue projects, several rezonings, amendments to municipal code on liquor/tobacco and ADUs, and authorized negotiations for redevelopment at 602 Robert DeRay Drive. Most motions passed unanimously (7-0).

The Des Moines City Council made significant strides on Dec. 8, unanimously adopting 2024 building and fire codes while approving key contracts and rezonings that could reshape the city’s future.

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3 months ago

Council selects White Lotus Group to advance redevelopment of 602 Robert DeRay Drive, members call for strict due diligence The Des Moines City Council voted to advance negotiations with White Lotus Group to rehabilitate the historic armory at 602 Robert DeRay Drive, while several councilmembers urged stronger contractual protections, clarity about equity commitments and contingency plans if the project stalls.

The Des Moines City Council unanimously voted to negotiate with White Lotus Group for the redevelopment of the historic armory, but strong safeguards and due diligence are on the table to ensure success.

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3 months ago

Des Moines Airport Authority details terminal phasing, new garage and de‑icing improvements Des Moines Airport Authority officials told the city council the $212M in grants plus a county loan will fund a multi‑phase terminal expansion, a new parking garage (opened July), a delayed south‑side rental car facility, and a new de‑icing pad that reduces glycol runoff.

Des Moines Airport is embarking on a transformative multi-phase terminal expansion, backed by $212 million in grants and a county loan, set to enhance operations and passenger experience over the coming years.

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3 months ago

Housing Solutions Alliance pushes homelessness blueprint as federal grant rules shift HSA leaders told council they are operationalizing a seven‑area blueprint and pursuing an urgent local grant competition this week for noncongregate shelter and other programs after Continuum of Care funding priorities shifted, potentially reducing allocations for permanent supportive housing.

Des Moines is racing against time to implement a groundbreaking homelessness blueprint as federal funding priorities shift, potentially impacting vital support services.

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4 months ago

Council approves multiple urban‑renewal amendments, equipment lease, tax abatements and parking changes The council unanimously approved a package of routine items including urban‑renewal plan amendments (Drake, Oak Park/Highland Park, Ingersoll Grama, Metro Center), a $273,000 equipment lease for snow operations, 150 tax abatement approvals for 2025, Merle Hay Mall reinvestment support, neighborhood recognition for Dogtown, and parking/traffic code amendments to Chapter 114.

Des Moines City Council just made significant strides in urban development, emergency operations, and community support with a unanimous vote on critical amendments and initiatives.

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4 months ago

Des Moines council debates phasing out tax abatement to free property-tax revenue for other housing incentives Development services staff proposed shortening tax-abatement schedules and phasing changes over two years to free property-tax revenue; staff cited state law changes and Polk County data showing $46.5 million already committed and a $146 million potential city revenue exposure. Councilors asked for roundtables with developers and lenders before taking action.

Des Moines is considering major changes to its tax abatement plan that could unlock millions for new housing incentives, but councilors are calling for more developer input before making a decision.

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4 months ago

Iowa hospitals and LifeServe launch state-awarded pilot to put blood on ambulances Local hospitals and LifeServe described a state-funded pilot to allow medics to start blood transfusions before patients reach trauma centers, saying the program — the first in Iowa — targets rural areas distant from trauma care and could boost survival after severe injury.

Iowa is pioneering a life-saving pilot program that allows medics to administer blood transfusions on the scene of traumatic injuries, potentially transforming emergency care for rural communities.

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5 months ago

Des Moines council denies rezoning request for 3851 Sherman Boulevard after neighborhood pushback After hours of testimony, the Des Moines City Council voted 7‑0 to deny a rezoning request that would have allowed a duplex and additional dwellings at 3851 Sherman Boulevard, citing neighborhood character, stormwater concerns and questions about the developer’s execution record.

The Des Moines City Council unanimously voted against a rezoning request that could have transformed a single-family home into a rental complex, sparking fierce neighborhood opposition over concerns about community character and stormwater management.

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5 months ago

Des Moines reports 2,914 Section 8 households under lease; HUD grant allowed agency to call hundreds from waiting list Neighborhood Services presented the Municipal Housing Agency’s portfolio and programs: 410 public-housing units, single-family disposition programs (Section 18, Section 32), and an inventory of roughly 2,914 vouchers leased. Staff said a June HUD allocation of about $2 million let the agency call about 600 applicants from the waiting list; 382 were

Des Moines is transforming its housing landscape, with 2,914 families now benefiting from Section 8 vouchers thanks to a recent $2 million HUD boost that helped pull hundreds off the waiting list!

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5 months ago

Des Moines adopts risk-informed levee plan; SQRA reduces estimated cost and targets phases D–E City engineers described a semi-quantitative risk assessment (SQRA) approach with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that prioritizes targeted levee fixes and closures to achieve FEMA accreditation. Staff said the process cut the program estimate from roughly $100 million to about $66 million by avoiding full prescriptive raises and focusing on key '

Des Moines is revolutionizing its levee system with a smart, cost-saving plan that targets critical flood risks, slashing estimated costs from $100 million to just $66 million!

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5 months ago

Des Moines launches "deficient property" case type to intervene earlier on vacant and blighted parcels Neighborhood Services described a new cross‑department deficient property case type intended as a precursor to public nuisance enforcement. Staff said the process gives multiple divisions more options — including property improvement, redevelopment and legal action — and allows earlier intervention in tax‑delinquent, lien‑encumbered properties.

Des Moines is taking a proactive stance against vacant blighted properties with a new "deficient property" case type that offers multiple pathways for improvement and redevelopment.

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5 months ago

Des Moines council seeks earlier budget priority discussions after timeline briefing Finance Director Nick Shaw reviewed the city budget calendar; council members asked staff to return with an adjusted schedule to allow earlier public input on high‑level tradeoffs, especially transit and fire‑service impacts.

Des Moines council is rethinking its budget process to prioritize public engagement on crucial service tradeoffs—will your voice shape the future?

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5 months ago

Planning commission backs rezoning of city‑owned Chesterfield site for Joppa housing village The commission voted to support rezoning about 10 acres near 2501 Morey Street to RX‑1 to allow a phased village of small permanent homes and supporting services proposed by nonprofit Joppa; staff supported the rezoning with conditions and Polk County committed funding.

A groundbreaking plan is underway in Des Moines to transform 10 acres into a vibrant mixed-use village offering permanent homes and essential services for those experiencing chronic homelessness.

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5 months ago

Votes at a glance: Des Moines City Council actions Oct. 20, 2025 A roundup of finalized council actions including property conveyances, rezonings, contract approvals, bond issuances and code changes taken during the Oct. 20 Des Moines City Council meeting.

The Des Moines City Council has made significant strides in urban development, approving multiple key measures that will shape the city's future.

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5 months ago

Council approves lease for Joppa Village; first phase to include 50 units, officials say The Des Moines City Council approved a lease agreement to house Joppa Village at a site near 2501 Morris Street, with supporters saying the first phase will include about 50 units and wraparound services; the measure passed 6–1 with one abstention.

Des Moines City Council has taken a significant step in combating homelessness by approving a lease for Joppa Village, which promises 50 housing units and essential services for those in need.

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5 months ago

Des Moines council amends camping ordinance after split vote amid legal and humanitarian concerns The Des Moines City Council voted 5–2 to amend municipal code section 102-410 on prohibited camping, removing certain affirmative defenses and prompting debate about constitutional risk and impacts on people experiencing homelessness.

Des Moines City Council's controversial vote to tighten camping regulations has sparked fierce debate over the rights of the homeless and the city's legal risks.

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6 months ago

Beaverdale Residents Oppose Rezoning for New Duplexes and Four Apartments Neighbors express strong opposition to proposed duplexes and apartments due to density concerns.

Des Moines residents are torn as a proposed development promises new housing but threatens the character of their beloved Beaverdale neighborhood.

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6 months ago

Des Moines Planning Commission Reviews Urban Dreams Housing Proposal on Sherman Boulevard Commission discusses rezoning request for five-unit affordable housing near Hoover High School.

Des Moines is on the brink of change as the Planning Commission reviews a crucial proposal for affordable housing near Hoover High School!

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6 months ago

Des Moines Police Chief Reveals 2024 Department Overview and Crime Statistics Police Chief shares 2024 service levels, crime statistics, and departmental improvements in Des Moines.

Des Moines Police Chief reveals crucial insights into the department's operations and commitment to community safety in a recent City Council Work Session.

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6 months ago

Des Moines City Council Reviews Strategic Plan and Skywalk Options Near Fifth and Walnut Council discusses five-year strategic plan and skywalk improvements in downtown Des Moines.

The Des Moines City Council is set to unveil a transformative five-year strategic plan for the police department that promises to enhance community safety and accountability like never before.

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6 months ago

Capitol Park Restores Historic Brick Sidewalks with Community and City Collaboration Capitol Park neighborhood successfully restores original brick sidewalks through grants and city support.

Des Moines is revitalizing the historic Capitol Park with wider, durable brick sidewalks, ensuring safety and preserving the neighborhood's charm!

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6 months ago

Fleet Services Update Highlights Hybrid Transition and Staffing Challenges in Des Moines Fleet Services discusses hybrid vehicle growth and plans for recruiting new mechanics.

Des Moines City Council is tackling pressing community issues, from enhancing public safety to improving infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods.

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6 months ago

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department showcases achievements and future plans Department reports increased participation and community engagement in park programs and improvements.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation is not just about fun—it's a vital part of our community's health and well-being, with more participation than ever before!

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