Sherman Hill neighbors push back against proposed home
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Rendering: City of Des Moines documents
Sherman Hill neighbors are questioning the approval process for a proposed new home that doesn't fit the rest of the neighborhood.
Why it matters: Sherman Hill is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, known for its preserved historic homes, including many Victorian, Queen Anne and Craftsman-style houses.
State of play: The Sherman Hill Association and several residents say they have concerns about a proposed International Style and art deco-inspired house at 1917 Center St.
- The home would include a white stucco exterior, metal-clad windows, flat-style roof and detached four-car garage.
- But many of the historic homes in Sherman Hill incorporate colorful siding, wraparound porches, woodwork details, high-pitched roofs or brick exteriors.
- "When I saw the initial plans, I thought it was a joke, to be totally honest, just because it's so different from the rest of the homes in the neighborhood," Brad Argo, a 20-year resident who lives next to the lot, tells Axios.
Flashback: Since 1995, the 1917 Center St. lot has sat empty since the previous house was demolished, per county records.
- This May, York Taenzer, a local real estate agent, sold it to Colbert Properties.
Yes, but: Because Sherman Hill is a designated historic district, any exterior construction, alteration or demolition must be approved by the city's Historic Preservation Commission.
- The proposed house was approved by the commission in August, but some neighbors have pointed out that Taenzer is a member and did not abstain from the vote — a potential financial conflict of interest.
- Taenzer declined to comment. City staff are looking into the issue.
Zoom in: "For the person that sold the lot to also vote — that should have never happened," says Jason Peters, a Sherman Hill resident.
- Peters noted that current Sherman Hill homeowners must follow strict design rules to preserve the neighborhood's historic look — from window styles to siding materials — and questioned why new builds aren't held to similar standards.
The other side: Design guidelines for new homes in historic districts differ from those for existing homes, says Jason Van Essen of the city's planning and urban design department.
- For existing homes, guidelines try to keep as much of the original integrity of the house as possible. But new homes should try to be "compatible" with the neighborhood, fitting similar heights, scale and surrounding buildings.
- Because there is already a contemporary commercial property nearby at 800 19th St. and a nearby apartment in the same style, city staff recommended the historic commission approve the project, Van Essen says.
The intrigue: Public documents aren't clear on who plans on moving into the home.
- Colbert Properties LLC is listed as the buyer of the property. A person associated with the address for Colbert Properties did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
- Jon Bassett, the architect behind the home, has been the owner's representative, Van Essen says. Bassett is listed as an architect at Hartman Spiller, but no one from the firm responded to requests for comment.
What's next: The Sherman Hill Association filed an appeal, citing concerns over the expediency of the project, and it must now go through City Council approval on Oct. 20.
The bottom line: Argo says he welcomes Colbert Properties as his new neighbor and notes the neighborhood is full of people who lean pro-development or preserving the culture.
- "There has to be a delicate balance somewhere in between the two," he says.