Page 93 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)
P. 93
M5. Highlight the role of historic Pattern Book: Accessory
preservation in promoting Household Units (AHUs)
missing middle housing
in the city's established A Pattern Book is a tool to help
neighborhoods. homeowners update their home or
property. It often addresses a specific
Goal Goal Goal topic and provides context-specific
1 2 3 information. For instance, a Pattern Book
a. Encourage local developers to for West Des Moines Neighborhoods
renovate or adaptively reuse existing offers information for property owners
and potentially historic structures about how to update their older homes
as housing by connecting them to in a way that maintains the character
financial and technical resources. and integrity.
b. Provide visual examples of context-
sensitive and appropriate missing Similar pattern books can be created
middle housing that meet the City's specific to other topics, such as AHUs,
Code, preferably completed by local This could be coupled with the existing
developers. regulations in Chapter 134, Zoning, and
c. Develop a pattern book for provide additional context-sensitive
Accessory Household Units (AHUs) standards for AHUs in historic areas of
to provide examples for different the city and designs that fit the existing
neighborhoods and lot types that standards and are compatible with
respond to the context of each the character of the neighborhood.
historic district. This pattern book would also elaborate
on the Accessory Structure standards
Related N7
Actions provided in Chapter 135, Planning
• Lead Agency: City of Des Moines, and Design, Section 135-2.F, Accessory
Development Services Household Unit (AHU) Building.
• Partners: City of Des Moines,
Neighborhood Services; Iowa chapter of For instance, an Accessory Dwelling Unit
the American Institute of Architects; Local Handbook (ADU is another term for an
chapter of American Society of Interior AHU) for a West Denver neighborhood
Designers (ASID)
offers a variety of ADU types, floorplans,
and details for how to approach
constructing an ADU.
Goal 1: Equitable and Inclusive; Goal 2: Community-Centered; Goal 3: Strategically Integrated
* Requires ongoing work.
Adopted Plan (September 2023) 87
