NEWS

All Board members were re-elected at our annual meeting which was held in October.

Our next meeting is, Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Watrous South usually meets at Christ the King Church in the Parish Hall.

Christ the King is located at 5711 SW 9th Street. Details about the meeting are normally mailed

out 2 weeks ahead of time.

Start Time: 6:30pm

We are currently underway with our Membership Drive. Every household in the neighborhood will receive a letter about the Neighborhood Association along with a marketing brochure. This mail was made possible with a grant from Polk County. We thank them for their support.

It is our intent to increase involvement in the Neighborhood thru membership to the organization.

In October, 2024, the Des Moines City Council passed the extension of our boundary South from Army Post Road to County Line Road. The residents in the expansion area will receive welcome letters and brochures towards the end of January. The East/West boundaries remain the same (Fleur Drive to SW 9th Street)

If you are wondering if your dues are paid, please see the "members" tab. Dues are $10.00 per year per household.

Hello Neighbors - newsletter from 8/25/25

What amazing weather we had this weekend! I hope everyone was able to enjoy some outside time without the sweltering heat and high humidity.

There are lots of things to report this issue….

Request to Re-zone the property at 5805 Fleur Drive:

There was a request into the City from potential shop owners to re-zone a property across from the airport to permit a Smoke and Vape Shop to open. We strongly opposed this, request on behalf of the neighborhood. Below find a copy of the documentation sent to the City to oppose this:

City of Des Moines Planning, Zoning Board of Adjustment, & City Council
Sent via email.

Dear Members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, City Planners and City Council

On behalf of the Watrous South Neighborhood Association, I am writing to express our opposition to the request by The New York Vape & Smoke Shop for a Conditional Use permit to operate a smoke and vape retail business at 5805 Fleur Drive.

The proposed location presents several significant concerns:

Traffic Safety Hazards – The applicant intends to rent approximately 1,900 square feet of space and will have access to only three parking spaces in front for customers and two spaces behind the building. Given the “in-and-out” nature of this type of retail business, this limited parking arrangement will likely result in customers either backing out directly onto Fleur Drive—an area with high traffic volume—or attempting to use the alleyway on neighboring property not owned by 5805 Fleur. Both scenarios present serious safety risks and could easily lead to traffic accidents.
Proximity to Similar Businesses – There are already two similar vape and smoke shops within a block or less of this location. Adding another such business in such close proximity serves no compelling community need and contributes to oversaturation.
Community Image and Gateway Location – This property is located along a primary entry corridor into the City from the Des Moines International Airport. For many visitors, it is one of the first impressions they receive of our community. Establishing another smoke and vape shop in this highly visible location does not reflect the positive, welcoming image we wish to project to residents, visitors, and prospective businesses.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Planning, Zoning and Council to deny the Conditional Use permit for 5805 Fleur Drive. Maintaining public safety, preventing business oversaturation, and promoting a positive city image should remain top priorities in the Board’s land use decisions.

Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
Sincerely,

Mitch

Mitch Harris, Vice President

Board of Directors

Des Moines Public Schools – Back to School Newsletter: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-2025-Big-Back-to-School-Edition-of-TheWeek-DMPS-.html?soid=1119136550732&aid=YY5cShW8y1k

City of Des Moines Small Business Minute: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-2025-Small-Business-Minute.html?soid=1138520933704&aid=WHZIdhuoa9Y

Google Fiber is moving, here is information we received from City Planners on what’s going to happen. There is also an attachment.

Over the next few months the City expects to see Google Fiber working primarily in the Southwestern Hills, Grays Lake and Watrous South neighborhoods (please see the purple conduit lines in the attached exhibit).

As shown in purple, (see attached map) Google plans to install fiber in the areas south of the Raccoon River down to roughly McKinley Avenue from SW 63rd Street to a 5 or 6 blocks east of SW 9th Street (including up and down the Fleur Drive and SW 9th Street corridors). Google will also be placing fiber along SW 9th Street (couple blocks each way) down to Army Post Road.

Google’s contractors work pretty quick (typically only spend a week or so on a block) and their facilities will be bored underground, but I know other fiber companies may have just came through some of these areas over the past couple years, so some residents may have frustration about another private utility coming through again (but I could be wrong, or they may be happy to have more competition for internet service). But I want to give you a heads up on the anticipated fiber installation. The City does not have details on Google’s schedule for installation (or where they will start), but residents will see small Google Fiber signs and/or door hanger notifications when their crews come through their street.

This is not a City project (it is a private utility), but if residents need to report issues, they can Email ROW@dmgov.org or call (515)283-4200.

Here is a webpage with the Right-of-Way Management information: https://www.dsm.city/departments/engineering_-_division/right_of_way_management.php

City of Des Moines Neighborhood Update for August: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-Neighborhood-Update-.html?soid=1131369109596&aid=D3izah18a7c

“Let’s Catch Up” from At Large Council member Carl Voss for August: https://mailchi.mp/6d679d1db8fa/lets-catch-up-october-17993284?e=2be08fc268

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Newsletter for August:https://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-Newsletter---.html?soid=1111165842908&aid=rb0RafPu81M

DART’s Newsletter for August: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Making-Moves--Read-what-s-happening-at-DART.html?soid=1103685263890&aid=JOHbR40qoek

A Thank you note to our President, James Spiller!

James, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your years of dedicated service as out Association President. Your leadership, commitment, and steady support have strengthened our Community and have made lasting impact.

While we are excited for you and your family as you begin this new chapter in your new home and neighborhood, please know that you will be greatly missed here. We are deeply grateful for the time and energy you have given, and we wish you and your family nothing but happiness and success.

With appreciation,

The Watrous South Neighborhood Association Board

Interested in running for the Watrous South Board? Each year, all board positions are up for re-election. Our Annual meeting with Board elections is every October. Aside from the recent addition of Dan Flowers to the Board from the expanded area, we have had no volunteers or nominations from anyone new, consequently, your dedicated existing Board members have run year after year and have been re-elected each year. If anyone is interested in joining the Board and going on the ballot in October, please send an email with your name, contact information and reason you’d like to join the Board. Send this to our email at: WatrousSouth@gmail.com

Save the Date: Our next meeting is our Annual Meeting, which will be on Tuesday, October 21st in the Parrish Hall at Christ the King Church on SW 9th. Meetings start at 6:30PM. Please remember you need to have your membership paid up in order to vote. You can check the website under members to see your status for 2025. www.watroussouth.org We hope to see you there and feel free to bring a neighbor with you!

Mitch

Mitch Harris, Vice President

Board of Directors