Join us: Planning and Zoning @ 6 p.m.

Tonight the City will discuss the proposed urban development (PUD) at the ChinaOne location.  Please don't forget to attend to have your voice heard.   Meeting is at 1551 East Martin Luther King Parkway.

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The WHO submitted this letter to the City:

July 29, 2016

                                                                                                                    

To: City of Des Moines

From: Woodland Heights Organization

RE: Proposed Planned Unit Development at 2301 Ingersoll

On Monday, July 25, 2016, the Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) held a special neighborhood meeting to discuss the proposal submitted by Roers Investments for 2301 Ingersoll Avenue (China One).  During our meeting, neighbors discussed:

·         What makes our neighborhood great, unique, special?

·         How does the plan help the neighborhood?

·         What in the plan doesn’t work for the neighborhood?

·         What if any changes must / should be made to the plan?

After much discussion, the WHO voted and we are not in support of the proposed PUD project (that was up-to-date as of July 25, 2016). 

Areas of Concern

Under the current proposed plan, many in the neighborhood feel there are four key areas that need to be reconsidered.  We ask the city to consider these objections during the PUD input process:

1.       Population to Parking Ratio is Too Low.  As voiced in our earlier meeting on June 21, 2016 with Roers Investments, there is concern about the high number of units (and that none were owner-occupied) in the plan.  Additional density brings challenges – for traffic, parking and safety.  We’d like to:

a.       See the number of apartments substantially reduced and parking areas increased. 

b.      Understand the shared parking discussions with Mediacom – especially as it relates to snow ordinance parking concerns.

c.       Get better insight into the 24 hour car moving requirement for city street and/or right-of-ways.

d.      See single family homes on High Street maintain similar character traits and placement that is in the rest of the neighborhood. 

2.       Safety.  The number of units being in the proposed plan creates traffic and safety concerns for residents – especially on streets adjacent to the proposed development.  We encourage the city to conduct traffic monitoring and look for ways to minimize disruption to residents.  Our neighbors cited walkability, neighborhood safety and being a family-friendly community as key attributes that make Woodland Heights “great.” Higher traffic counts on Woodland and High streets can reduce home values.

3.       Lack of Owner-Occupied Housing.  The neighborhood has tried to maintain a good balance of rental- versus owner-occupied dwellings.  We have found that owner-occupied dwellings have helped stabilize the community and property values.   Our character plan from 2014 continues to support this desire that was originally put in our 1991 plan.

4.       Insufficient Greenspace.  Our neighbors are proud of our community nestled in a “main corridor” of the city.  The current plan should be analyzed for opportunities to infuse green spaces, natural landscaping and more trees that are in line with neighborhood character.

While the WHO appreciates the opportunities and advantages a proposal like this brings to the neighborhood, we want to sure it meets the needs of our residents and enhances the long-term vitality of the neighborhood. We want to protect the attributes that make our neighborhood great, such as walkability, family friendly, diversity of residents, architecture and businesses, lush landscape and safety.   

Many of our neighbors will be in attendance for the Planning and Zoning and City Council meetings that will feature this topic.