Page 45 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)

structures within a locally designated historic Mayor and City Council
district. After the submittal of a COA, the The Des Moines City Council also has a
HPC it using adopted historic preservation role to play in carrying out the historic
guidelines and standards. Once a COA is preservation ordinance. It reviews and
approved, the applicant must apply for approves applications for Urban Design
any required building permit to begin the Review Board members who serve three
proposed work.
year terms, and Historic Preservation
Commission members, who also serve three
Historic Preservation Commission year terms. City Council can also propose
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) designation of a historic district or landmark
serves a key role in the administration of for review by the appropriate commission
the historic preservation program. It makes or board, and is responsible for making final
key decisions to protect the integrity of decisions on historic district and landmark
the resources, advocates for preservation designation, utilizing the reports and
community-wide, and assists staff to recommendations from staff and the HPC
celebrate the City’s historic resources. The and/or LRB.
HPC consists of volunteer members – six at-
large members and two residents from each
historic district – creating a total of 12 HPC
seats. HPC members serve three year terms
and are appointed by the Mayor and City
Council to serve on a volunteer basis. The
HPC meets once a month and is charged
with a variety of duties, including but not
limited to:
– Review and act upon submitted COAs;
– Consider potential historic district
designations, boundary amendments
and potential repeals of existing historic
districts, and to provide information and a
recommendation to City Council;
– Act as advocates for historic preservation in
other City processes; and
– Work with City staff and the State Historic
Preservation Office.

Landmark Review Board
The Landmark Review Board (LRB) reviews
nominations for local landmarks and
alterations to existing local landmarks. The Figure 13. Site meeting with two HPC members and a contractor
LRB consists of a combination of the Historic to discuss an in-progress project in the River Bend neighborhood.
Preservation Commission and Urban Design (Source: Stacey Hanley)
Review Board. LRB meetings occur on an as-
needed basis.

Adopted Plan (September 2023) 39