“How would you like to have a 65-foot high building located right in the city’s marina at water level,” asked longtime Des Moines home and boat business owner friend, Arlene Knight. “Good Grief, No”, I quickly replied!

As a lady of considerable business education and experience, Arlene and her husband, Stan Wilkes, own and operate “Classic Yachts” from their office-boat afloat close to the middle of the marina. Their home is also located within the marina, so if this alleged 65-foot building height story becomes reality the impact to them is no small issue.

The major drawing card of public attraction to this city of highest priority to both boaters and most every citizen in Des Moines, as well as volumes of year-round visitors is Des Moines Marina.

Recently, Des Moines Council was studying rezoning land use on the east side of Pacific Highway South as well as providing for more development of all areas of retirement homes and Highline Community College and city public properties. Arlene saw where the change would also apply to public property use including the marina for 65ft buildings.

From my nearby home I see thousands of people in the marina walking, running, boating, driving slowly, watching sunsets and a few speeding teenagers too.

Add sixty-five feet high buildings in the marina? Come-on…that’s unreal I muttered! However, rather than mutter, Arlene Knight immediately got busy researching documents to question why any such public property Resolution should even be considered.

In her April 26th summary Arlene wrote; “if potential approval of a new zone designated as “Institutional – Campus (1-C) Zone,” whether intentional or unintentional, the wording in this new zoning meets the definition of parcels included in the new 1-C zone. This may open the door for 65-foot buildings right in front of condominiums. (Twice as tall as the present Harbormaster’s Office!)

Some of the parcel requirements are: 10-acres, (marina is 14 acres) and could affect other public property, facilities, parks and administration.”

There are reasons this issue sparked a fire of concern to owners as Arlene wrote, “We’ve heard rumors of the city considering a hotel and another large restaurant in the Marina.”

So she created informational fliers at her own expense for neighbors and distributed by email urging them to forward them. She spoke publicly to council at their meeting questioning, “If this 1-C zone was approved (without making an exempt resolution change) what would prevent a 65ft building in the Marina? If it were approved the 65 ft.height would go into the City Master Plan and then we would not be able to contest the 65ft height, the law could become a permanent.

Arlene addressed council saying, we, (the people) are concerned about this action and ask that the wording simply be changed to include this directive: “This (resolution) will not include the marina.”

Her statements to the council may be viewed on the city website cataloged under previous council meetings.

“I could not let a 65 foot building be constructed in our beautiful marina. All of this was very important to me because not only do I live in a condo at the marina but we also own a business at the marina and might be doubled impacted.

“After voicing my concerns at the council meeting I heard nothing so I accessed the city website and reviewed the council current packet. I noticed a modification of 1-C zone page 17 and 20 and emailed a councilperson to verify the modification was accurate. And I’m told council made that change.

Their response was ‘The council agreed that there was never any council intent to have city facilities included in institutional zoning and staff had corrected it. Thanks to both of us (my husband Stan and I) for our sharp eyes and for bringing it up to the council.”

Credit goes to Arlene Knight as key to identifying a word error in the resolution that if not corrected could legally allow 65foot buildings all over the city, and maybe (who knows) in the marina too.

Arlene said, “Thanks for my friend, a concerned citizen, who alerted me. It just takes a few concerned citizens to make things happen.”

We agree there will never be too many happy moments in life, so let’s protect those we have. Sixty-five foot buildings that impact public access to views and natural beauty does not bring smiles. Thoughtful people and flowers do.

Today’s Thought: “The sun seems to shine brighter when happy people smile and say hello.” (Earline)