Page 14 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

134-2. DiStrictS DRAFT

Districts Generally

134-2.1 Districts Generally B. the provisions of these regulations apply to
any use or development of land or buildings
2.1.1 PUrPOSe that is constructed/commenced, reconstructed/
Purpose. In addition to the general purposes of 134- recommenced, relocated, or expanded after the
1.5, the city is divided into districts as established in this effective date of this ordinance.
section to apply a specific set of regulations to each
category of lots. Further, these different districts are 134-2.2 establishment of Districts
intended: 1 the following districts are established to regulate the
A. to achieve a balanced pattern of development, location of distinct mixes of building forms and uses
providing for mixed-use development that permitted within the city. Refer to Chapter 134, Article
encourages daily uses within walking or biking 3 for uses and Chapter 135, Article 1 for building types
distance. permitted within each district.
B. to require high quality development that draws 2.2.1 DOWNtOWN (DX) DiStrictS
on the distinctive characteristics of the city,
neighborhood, and district. the downtown (DX) districts are established to address
c. to achieve development that is appropriate in scale the mix of building forms and uses appropriate for each
of the different districts within the downtown area.
and intensity for neighborhoods and districts within
the city. A. DX1 District. DX1 is intended for the highest
D. to ensure that a mix of housing types and sizes intensity of activity in the downtown, where mixed-
use buildings include offices, groundfloor storefronts
can be developed to meet the needs of the entire with shopping, services, and restaurants, and
community. residential and lodging.
e. to promote sustainability goals, such as reductions B. DX2 District. DX2 is intended for the mid-level
in vehicle miles traveled (VMt) and greenhouse gas intensity of activity in downtown, where storefronts,
(GHG) emissions through a focus on pedestrian- offices, and residences are mixed.
friendly design, transit-supportive development,
and a mix of daily uses within a pedestrian-oriented c. DXr District. DXR is intended for the mainly
center. residential neighborhoods of the downtown,

F. to provide a framework for greater use of public surrounding the downtown, and across the rivers
from downtown.
transit and for the development of transit-oriented
neighborhoods where appropriate. 2.2.2 MiXeD-USe (X) DiStrictS
G. to regulate and restrict the location of trades and the X districts establish an appropriate mix of building
industries and the location of buildings designed for forms and uses to enhance existing and create new
specified uses. compact, walkable nodes and corridors throughout the
H. to ensure that adequate amounts and types of open city.
space are available to all residents within walking A. MX1 District. MX1 is intended for the mixed-use,
distance of their homes and workplaces. neighborhood-scale nodes and corridors within the
i. to protect the natural environment, including city, where daily uses are accessible by walking from
reducing air and water pollution, and to respond to surrounding neighborhoods.
the threat of climate change. B. MX2 District. MX2 is intended for mixed-use,
regional-scale nodes and corridors within the city,
2.1.2 APPlicABilitY where residents and visitors may access multiple
A. No building, structure or land may be used and no uses by walking.
building or structure may be erected or altered, c. MX3 District. MX3 is intended for mixed-use nodes
except in conformity with the regulations prescribed and corridors within the city, where residents and
in these regulations for the district in which such visitors may access multiple uses by walking and
building, structure or land is located.
automobile. this district accommodates higher
intensity commercial uses at a smaller scale.
1 Are these more specific purposes necessary if references
are made to the comprehensive plan? If so, is the correct D. rX1 District. RX1 is intended for transitional areas
location for them? between MX districts and N districts, providing

134-2-2 DRAFT AUGUst 3, 2017