A significant number of single-family homeowners in Des Moines could construct additional homes or turn outbuildings like garages into guest houses under a zoning change that goes before the City Council Monday.

Why it matters: If approved, residential density would increase.

• Affordable housing options would expand, and it could help those caring for seniors in multi-generational family settings, AARP Iowa state director Brad Anderson tells Axios.

Catch up fast: Accessory household units (AHUs) include alley flats and other dwellings that are attached or adjacent to a home.

• City zoning limits AHUs to specific districts, which are generally located in higher density areas where multi-housing is allowed.

Details: Under the proposed change, AHUs would be allowed by right in more districts, as well as at DSM homes within a quarter-mile of a transit route.

• Site plans and permits would still be required but a rezoning and public hearing process wouldn't be necessary to build AHUs in the expanded areas, Jason Van Essen, a city planner, told the zoning commission last month.

The big picture: The AARP and other groups working to resolve housing issues have been advocating for AHUs across the country.

• A Zillow survey in 26 U.S. metro areas, published this week, found broad support of accessory dwelling units.
• New York considered an accessory dwelling unit plan this year, but scrapped it in February after concerns surfaced about the impact on local zoning.

Zoom in: The least-expensive AHUs in Des Moines tend to be garage conversions, which generally cost at least $50,000, according to a new city site.

• At least one off-street parking space must be provided for each AHU. Homeowners must live in the property if an AHU is rented.

What's next: Monday's City Council meeting begins at 5pm.

Running a city is a gargantuan task, but Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said he starts his work day in bite-size pieces.

State of play: Cownie tells Axios he begins his mornings with a temperature check from city staff on what he needs to know — whether it's an emergency at City Hall or an issue at a local park.

• "You do have touchstones ... what's going on in the city today?"

We asked Des Moines' five-term mayor about his morning routine:

⏰ Wake up: 7am. He looks at his phone first thing "unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how we look at it."

🍌 Breakfast: A big glass of water and a banana. If he goes out, he stops at Zanzibar and picks up coffee or Mexican hot chocolate.

• "That's one of the places I go because it's just a walk down the street."

🗞️ What he's reading: The Huffington Post, the Des Moines Register newspaper and sports news.

📣 Weigh in: Whose morning routine do you want to read about? Reply to this email and let us know.

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Polk County supervisors approved a new Behavioral Health and Disability Services Department during a special meeting Thursday.

Why it matters: It shifts the oversight of local mental health services that thousands of residents depend upon from a nonprofit to the county.

Catch up fast: The nonprofit Polk County Health Services (PCHS) has been contracted by the county to manage a network of mental health services since 1977.

• Supervisors canceled the contract late last month, saying county management will provide better oversight and input into the health care it provides to residents.

Details: Nine employees officially transferred from the nonprofit to the county payroll via the supervisor's vote Thursday.

• Their pay and benefits were retained, including an executive officer position that makes as much as $163,000 a year.
• The estimated cost will be more than $1.3 million for the fiscal year that begins in July.

Of note: PCHS’s budget was more than $3 million, according to its most recent tax filing.

• Matt McCoy was the only county supervisor to vote against the plan. He warned last month that it wasn't fully formed and could leave people with inadequate service.

What to watch: The Iowa Department of Human Services must still approve the plan to ensure it meets state service requirements. It remains unclear what might happen if DHS rejects it.

• Yes, but: The department agreed to some contract amendments already, which assistant Polk County attorney Ralph Marasco, Jr. told supervisors is enough "to believe that they have accepted the direction that we have chosen to pursue."

Saturday

🍺 Gather all the adults in your life and join The Great Beer Egg Hunt at West Hill Brewing Company in Indianola. Starts at 9am.

🐰 Search for eggs at Blank Park Zoo's Eggstravaganza event from 10am to 2pm. Cost is zoo admission.

🐣 Join the Eastside Easter Eggstravaganza, where free lunch is also provided. 10am to noon.

🗑 Clean up at DSM SCRUB day. Get rid of bulk items, yard waste and tires for free. 7am-2pm.

Sunday

🧺 Firetrucker Brewery is holding an all-ages egg hunt. Kids can search for eggs in the beer garden while adults can pick their own from the bar. Starts at 2pm.

Django hosted an open house last night for its new private dining and event space.

• The Reinhardt Room is adjacent to the restaurant, 1420 Locust St. in DSM.
• It can accommodate up to 100 people and overlooks the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.