Committees supported, fuel station opposed at December meeting

 The Woodland Heights Organization had a full agenda for its regular December membership meeting 12/15/2020.  The featured guest was the city’s Neighborhood Services Department Director, Chris Johansen.  

City of Des Moines Neighborhood Services Dept.
Director, Chris Johansen speaks to the WHO 12/15/20

Dir. Johansen shared the new org chart for the Neighborhood Services Dept., how it has been working in the pandemic, and what new hires and plans are in the works for the future.  (https://www.dsm.city/departments/neighborhood_services/index.php) Several notable items shared by Dir. Johansen include a toolkit being developed for neighborhood associations and neighborhood leaders and interested residents, a citizens academy that would be an opportunity to learn more about how the city functions, and upcoming Jan. 2021 public meetings on how the city can work with homeowners to maintain and make improvements to private property.  

Officer Scott Baker of the DMPD shared the NBSD report and encouraged WHO members to keep sending concerns to Sgt. Scarlett who can forward those messages on as appropriate while Sgt. Scarlett is at the training academy.  

Officer Baker noted plenty of concerns about illegally parked cars in the neighborhood, and a troubling increase in thefts (like purse snatching) at Smokey Row.  Keep aware of your surroundings and be vigilant with your personal property.  

The WHO membership voted overwhelmingly at its December meeting to empower the WHO VP to coordinate an assessment and reorganization of the WHO Committees to carry out their desired goals more effectively and efficiently.

The big agenda item that drew much interest and perhaps increased meeting attendance was a vote by the WHO to express either support for or opposition against “Expansion of the existing fuel station use (at 2701 Ingersoll Ave (Star)) to increase the building from 1,020 square feet to approximately 2,300 square feet… Conditional Use Approval (per City Code Section 134-6.4) for a “Fuel Station Use” use in an “MX2” District.”  The proposal was on the Dec. 16 ZBOA agenda.

After discussion, the vote of the neighborhood was to oppose the conditional use as proposed.  

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This post typed by Phil.

The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.

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