The Des Moines City Council approved last week the final layout of the Graceview housing development located at the intersection of Kent/Des Moines Road and South 234th Street.

James W. Grace applied for the development March 4, 2004, signed an environmental mitigation agreement with the city on May 6 to protect an adjacent wetland, and the council accepted the proposed preliminary plat on June 24.

One environmental consideration is the presence of Chinook salmon, a threatened species, in Massey Creek. The creek extends onto the property. To offset environmental impacts, the developer paid $35,553 for park improvements.

Twenty-seven homes are to be built on only 5.8 acres of the total 9.8-acre area. The rest will be preserved for wetlands.

Councilman Scott Thomasson raised concerns about the foundation of the future drainage system and emphasized the importance of making sure easements among property owners are created.

"What we don't want them to do is have them show up, have those pipes be in, and ten years from now say, 'That's city pipe. City, you take care of that,'" Thomasson said.

The council also approved a motion to streamline city contracting. Des Moines' small works roster will be authorized for projects to $200,000, up from $100,000.