The Des Moines City Council on Jan. 13 approved a rezoning request that changes the designation of property in the vicinity of 955 24th Street from N5 Neighborhood District to limited N52 Neighborhood District, allowing construction of a two-household duplex.

Neighbors from Woodland Heights urged the council to deny the rezoning or to steer development toward single-family infill that preserves mature trees and rear-yard garden space. Kim Hanson, who identified herself as a Woodland Heights resident, said she submitted a letter signed by 31 neighbors opposing the change and warned a duplex at the site could become a rental with absentee ownership.

“955 24th Street is only accessible from a small alley behind the property with four other existing properties sharing that alley,” Kim Hanson said, arguing the parcel’s constrained access and proximity to a dead-end intersection would increase congestion.

Lila Dozier, another neighborhood resident, said she bought her home for the urban-forest character and garden space and that smaller infill lots requiring removal of large trees would reduce desirability and property values.

The applicant, Usman Haq, who said he owns the lot and asked the council to rezone, described the parcel as “a lot and a half” and asked the council to consider allowing two households on the property.

Several council members responded that duplexes can be compatible with neighborhood character and that when well-designed they can increase housing affordability. One council member who reviewed the plans told colleagues the lot’s shape and size make a two-household structure feasible and moved approval; another member said the city will make targeted investments in Woodland Heights through Invest DSM to support neighborhood priorities.

“Almost never is the building the problem, it is the landlord and the people that are there,” a council member said, urging the applicant to exchange contact information with neighbors to address potential future issues.

The council voted 7–0 to approve the request, including the waiver for final consideration required by the applicant.

Ending

The rezoning clears the way for the owner to pursue permitting for a two-household dwelling under limited N52 zoning. Neighbors said they will continue to monitor design and future permit applications; council members urged ongoing communication between the owner and neighborhood.