Recognizing Comp Plan Excellence: PlanDSM

Summary

Michael Ludwig, Planning Administrator for Des Moines, discusses the city's journey in developing *Plan DSM*, a comprehensive 30-year vision for growth and sustainability. The plan incorporates community feedback, with a special focus on engaging underrepresented groups, including youth, refugees, and diverse populations. Ludwig explains how the city addressed challenges in previous plans and emphasizes the importance of a linked, smart growth strategy tied to transportation, zoning, and infrastructure. The successful implementation of *Plan DSM* continues, with initiatives like a transportation master plan and new zoning codes, all receiving strong city council support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa, had stagnant population growth from 1960 to 1990 but surpassed its historical population peak in 2014, signaling a revitalization.
• 😀 The previous comprehensive plan for Des Moines, completed in 2000, lacked a clear vision for future land use and transportation, relying heavily on public hearings for zoning decisions.
• 😀 Des Moines' new comprehensive plan, Plan DSM, was inspired by the regional Tomorrow Plan, which focused on sustainability and the city’s role as an urban center in the metro.
• 😀 The city engaged diverse communities, including underrepresented groups like African-American, Latino, Southeast Asian, and LGBTQ populations, through targeted outreach efforts.
• 😀 Youth engagement played a crucial role in shaping Plan DSM, with students from Des Moines Public Schools, representing over 100 languages, contributing valuable insights about the city’s future.
• 😀 The city's engagement with youth was particularly important to understand what would keep them in Des Moines post-graduation, aiming to create a 25-year vision for their future.
• 😀 Des Moines sought to bridge the gap between the development community and neighborhood needs by creating a plan that tied land use to transportation and sustainability goals.
• 😀 The plan includes clear implementation goals, with short-term (1-2 years), medium-term (5 years), and long-term (25 years) priorities to ensure successful execution.
• 😀 Des Moines received gold-level recognition for its comprehensive plan through the Comprehensive Plan Standards Program, evaluated based on the Sustaining Places framework.
• 😀 The city’s new zoning code and related planning documents, such as the Guide DSM strategic plan, align with the goals of the comprehensive plan and are being funded and prioritized by the city council.

Q & A

What is the significance of the City's location in Des Moines' planning efforts?

Des Moines is centrally located at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, which are two major corridors in the state. This strategic location has been important for both regional planning and transportation development in the city.

How did Des Moines' population trends impact its planning process?

Des Moines experienced stagnation and even population loss from 1960 to 1990, mainly due to the construction of the interstate, which led to a flight to the suburbs. However, the city saw a population rebound after 2014, which provided new opportunities for growth and planning.

What were the main challenges with Des Moines' previous comprehensive plan?

The previous comprehensive plan, completed in 2000, lacked clear vision and guidance. It mainly served as a map of existing conditions, leaving zoning decisions up to public hearings, which led to contentious debates and insufficient long-term planning.

How did the 'Tomorrow Plan' influence Des Moines' new comprehensive plan?

The Tomorrow Plan, developed as part of a regional sustainable development initiative, emphasized Des Moines' role as the urban center of the metro area. This concept was carried over into Des Moines' new comprehensive plan, 'Plan DSM,' ensuring that local planning aligned with regional sustainability goals.

How did Des Moines engage with underrepresented populations during the planning process?

Des Moines recognized the need for more diverse representation. They held 15 additional meetings with underrepresented groups, including African-American, Latino, Southeast Asian, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as reaching out to local students to ensure a broader range of perspectives in the planning process.

What role did youth engagement play in Des Moines' planning process?

Youth engagement was crucial, especially considering Des Moines' diverse student population. The city involved students from urban studies classes to understand their vision for the city's future. This engagement focused on what would keep young people in Des Moines and how to encourage them to return after graduation.

Why was it important for Des Moines to engage with students from diverse backgrounds?

Des Moines has a large, diverse student population, with over 32,000 students in the public school system speaking 100 languages. Engaging with these students ensured that the planning process considered the needs and aspirations of first-generation refugees and other minority groups.

How did Des Moines ensure continued community engagement after the comprehensive plan adoption?

Des Moines maintained engagement by conducting follow-up meetings on specific issues and continuing to build relationships with communities. For example, the city helped Bhutanese refugees connect with resources and find soccer fields, demonstrating a commitment to the ongoing needs of these groups.

What are some of the key initiatives currently underway in Des Moines as a result of the comprehensive plan?

Key initiatives include the development of a standalone transportation master plan, a Parks and Recreation master plan, neighborhood and corridor planning, and a new form-based zoning code. These initiatives are directly linked to the goals outlined in the comprehensive plan.

Why did Des Moines apply for the Comprehensive Plan designation, and what was the result?

Des Moines applied for the Comprehensive Plan designation to receive recognition for their efforts in creating a sustainable, community-driven plan. The city used an evaluation process based on criteria from the 'Sustaining Places' document and the Star Community rating system. As a result, Des Moines received a gold-level recognition for their comprehensive plan.