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(Des Moines, IA) -- Conversations are continuing over housing in Des Moines. This time, the city's Plan and Zoning Commission will not recommend that the City Council approve plans for a townhome project between 56th and 58th Streets, south of Grand Avenue. That decision comes after over an hour of public input.
Rick Trower serves on the commission.
"We've gotta start listening to neighbors as well as bureaucrats as the city," Trower says. "So, I really think we've gotta hear the voices of these people here tonight."
Those people showed up to voice concerns over the integrity of the neighborhood, as well as the safety of the project. Increased traffic was a talking point throughout the meeting. Kim Corbin is a neighbor to the proposed development.
"I live on the Grand [Avenue] hill basically, and my driveway is incredibly steep," Corbin says. "I just want to reiterate the absurdity of putting a townhome development on this hill. The extensive grating."
Supporters argue the plan addresses those safety concerns, and that it's a good option for dense housing development. Chris Draper serves on the commission.
"I believe it is vital that we densify smartly in the city," Draper says. "I'm fortunate enough to live in Drake where we've had organic, dynamic densification over the years...it empowers public transit innovation and expansion, it increases the efficiency with which we can deliver services..."
Opponents don't argue the need for densification, but say this isn't the right project for the space.
"I know density is important. I'm not sure that this is middle housing. This is affluent housing," Trower says. "This is not going to be people from the neighborhood. I understand business. I'm in it myself. But I'm just not sure it's the right thing for this."
The vote against the project serves as a recommendation to the City Council, which will have the final say in rezoning.