The intended use of a proposed commercial building at 4223 Ingersoll Ave. may thwart Dan Stanbrough’s plan to move his project forward.

The developer wants the city of Des Moines to rezone that parcel to a neighborhood pedestrian commercial (NPC) district from a multiple-family residential designation, which would allow for the construction of a mixed-use building.

His plan for the site, which he purchased in October 2008 for $100,000, includes 4,800 square feet of commercial space on the ground level and three two-bedroom apartments on the second floor.

City of Des Moines staffers recommended that the rezoning request be denied.

“The portion of Ingersoll Avenue west of 42nd Street generally consists of multiple-family dwellings, single-family dwellings and assembly uses,” a Sept. 16 Plan and Zoning Commission report said. “The proposed development does not match the surrounding development pattern.”

But Stanbrough said his development scheme, which would feature Italian tile, a brick façade and 12-foot-high tin ceilings, would fit right in.

“We think we have a small boutique project that the neighbors will like,” he said, noting that he and his wife intend to locate their personal office in one of three commercial bays. He added that the couple has listed for sale their home on 35th Street south of Grand Avenue and would like to live in one of the proposed 1,600-square-foot dwelling units.

However, Erik Lundy, a senior city planner, said rezoning the parcel to NPC, which would allow for a number of commercial uses, including a mix of retail, office and residential space, isn’t sitting well with other property owners and neighborhood representatives.

“I don’t think they are interested in bringing commercial (west of) 42nd Street,” Lundy said. “It’s gotten a lot of controversy.”

Stanbrough, who said the NPC zoning would enable him to attract storefront tenants conducive to the needs of the neighborhood – perhaps a small café with a patio oriented toward Ingersoll – was granted a continuance on his request and plans to present the concept during a Sept. 30 neighborhood meeting.

“We don’t want to push anything that doesn’t fit right into that neighborhood,” he said. “We think it’s getting bettet, and we want to be a part of it.”

The Plan and Zoning Commission is scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 7.