Developer plans Florida-style daytime pool resort on Des Moines' northeast side

A Des Moines developer wants to host a Florida-style pool party on the northeast side — but many neighbors are declining the invitation.

What is now the abandoned Broadway Motel and parking lot at 5100 Hubbell Ave. could turn into a 21-and-over pool and bar with music and a "Key West chill" vibe, said developer Ryan Smithson. He told the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday his proposed exclusive, tropical daytime resort — decked out with palm trees — would host a pool, bar, restaurant and cabana-style suites available for day use in the summer months.

The project comes with at least a $2.6 million price tag.

Smithson, working under the name Ryan Resorts LLC, said the concept behind the renovation is to bring "a little Florida back to Iowa."

Board members approved a conditional use permit to sell alcohol on the property despite pleas from several neighbors asking the board to vote down the project. Area residents who attended voiced concerns over noise, lighting, and higher risks of flooding and decreased property values.

"The proposed business will have a detrimental impact on the neighborhood and noise pollution," said nearby resident Anthony Dietsch.

The pool resort would have a 'Key West chill' vibe

Smithson said the idea to buy the property came from passing the run-down motel every day on his commute, as well as his love of water volleyball. He said the renovation would replace the currently vacant "eyesore" property while retaining some of its "cool, vintage" attributes.

The converted Broadway Beach House, which would sit on about 3.3 acres, would feature a recreational pool that would be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

It would host occasional summer and off-season events such as volleyball tournaments, an Oktoberfest celebration, and a cheese fest. Smithson said he would be open to a handful of wedding celebrations on the property.

The 4-foot-deep pool would have a full-sized volleyball court on one side and an area for wading and sunbathing. The property would feature 16 "heavy-duty," derecho-proof palm trees with coconut lights, as well as a dozen real palm trees.

The bar would feature a selection of beers and tropical-themed drinks and would have a full food menu and snacks to include burgers, sandwiches, tacos, charcuterie boards and veggie and deli platters. Smithson said the beach house resort would not be a bar where you can simply swing by and have a drink. Visitors must pay a $50 entry fee, half of which would be credited back in food, drinks or cabana rentals.

"What would go better with watching a volleyball game than a beer, or a pina colada or a daiquiri on a lounge, or poolside floating on the other end of the pool?" Smithson said.

The 36 hotel rooms currently on the property would be converted to 18 "cabana" suites that visitors could rent for day use, Smithson said. The suites would come with "high-end" wicker furniture, surfboard walls, air conditioning, and a TV, he said.

Smithson said he isn't in the hotel business, but he would keep two beach-themed rooms for overnight stays. The rooms, which would give the experience of being at a "resort in Florida" would go for about $300 a night.

Neighbors say it's the right idea but wrong location

Several people attended Wednesday's board meeting to oppose the project, highlighting concerns such as noise pollution, additional flooding risks and impact on property value.

Nearby resident Marilyn Kramme told board members she and her husband already experience flooding on their property. She said the new business would heighten the risk and have a "detrimental impact on the use and enjoyment of our property, as well as its value."

Dietsch asked the board to deny the application for conditional use citing a negative impact on the "general welfare of the area," including noise and other nuisance factors.

"I will say to Mr. Smithson that perhaps he has the right idea, however, he has the wrong location," Dietsch said.

He and other neighbors pointed out that the neighborhood is mostly residential, with the exception of the shuttered Broadway Motel and Rieman Music.

"Summers are quiet out there on East Broadway," Dietsch said. "Yeah, we have a fair amount of traffic, that doesn't stop the deer from coming into my yard eating from my apple tree. I don't think the deer will be back when the Beach Boys or Taylor Swift are serenading us, or people are yelling over the latest kill shot they made in volleyball."

Kathleen Law, an attorney representing an adjoining property owner, pointed out multiple discrepancies in what the developer told residents in a neighborhood meeting versus what he told Des Moines staff about the project.

Law said neighbors were told the venue would host one off-season special event per year, while a staff report said the venue could host one special event per month. She also said neighbors were told that the hours would be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. but were not told about the hours for special events. She also said neighbors were told that the venue would be open five days a week while staff reports show the venue would be open for daily use.

At least one of the adjoining property owners was not told about the neighborhood meeting in advance, she added.

But Smithson said all of the concerns from residents are "exactly what's been going (on) for the past 20 years."

Smithson said the motel was a "dump" when he put it under contract for $875,000 in June. His team found needles and pornographic magazines when they cleaned it out.

"Frankly, if it was my neighborhood, I would want somewhere during the day that looks like Florida and the Gulf of Mexico next to my house versus people who are on methamphetamine and their cars barely run and they're pulling in and out at all times of the night," he said.

In response to neighbors' flooding concerns, Planning and Urban Design Deputy Administrator Bert Drost said the developer would be required to get site plan approval that would have to meet any landscape, stormwater management and pavement and lighting requirements.

"The development of this property wouldn't be allowed to make stormwater issues any worse for adjoining properties," Drost said.

Smithson added sound and lighting also meet state and city code ordinances. Instead of having large, subwoofer speakers, he plans to have small speakers throughout the property to control noise. And with the exception of special events, he said, the business would be closed by 9 p.m.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Developer plans Florida-style daytime pool resort at Des Moines motel