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West Des Moines PUD denied; public hearing set for August

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Plans to replace an aging strip mall and construct a convenience store at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Vine Street may be thwarted by the West Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission’s recommendation last week to deny the project.

M.A.G.R. Investments Ltd.’s proposed amendments, including a request to change the designated land use of a property at 1700 Vine St. to convenience commercial from high density residential and a rezoning request that would create a planned unit development, are expected to be considered by the city council next month.

The developer hopes to demolish two buildings, including a vacant home most recently used to house a private school at 1700 Vine St. and an existing shopping center at 1700 Grand Ave., and construct a 10,000-square-foot multi-tenant retail building and convenience store on the two-acre site.

“It was going to be a Kum & Go brand convenience store,” said Chris Shires, West Des Moines development coordinator. He said it was his understanding that M.A.G.R., represented by Abe Wolf, Gerard Stanton, Ron Daniels and James Myers, is having trouble retaining tenants in the 23-year-old shopping center.

Jessica Clinton, an associate planner, said the same tenants that occupy the existing retail building, including a dry cleaner, check cashing agency and dine-in restaurant, would likely occupy the new retail space.

Neighboring property owners have expressed concerns over the increased traffic, noise and lights the proposed convenience store would bring to the area, Shires said. A city staff report indicated that a traffic impact study dated July 13 forecasts a probable swell in traffic at the intersection.

A public hearing on the issue has been slated for Aug. 10.

“We are committed to the project,” said Harry Wolf, representing M.A.G.R. Wolf said it is too early in the process to comment further at this time, but the group is considering the outcome of last week’s Plan and Zoning meeting.

“We will work it through,” he said.