Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Apartment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clinton County BZA approves accessory apartment for Colfax home
Summary
On June 24, 2025, the Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special-exception request allowing an accessory apartment in a detached structure at 401 East Franklin Street in Colfax. Staff recommended approval and the town of Colfax signaled support; the BZA voted 4-0.
The Clinton County Board of Zoning Appeals voted June 24 to grant a special exception allowing an accessory apartment in a detached structure at 401 East Franklin Street in Colfax. The petitioners, David and Andrea Baird, sought the approval so the owners can live in the accessory unit while their son and his family occupy the primary dwelling.
Staff said the site consists of two combined residential tax parcels treated as a single building lot and recommended approval. "Staff recommends to approve the special exception request," a staff member told the board. The town of Colfax submitted a letter of support following a May 20, 2025 town meeting.
Under the request, the Baird property would retain the existing single-family house (about 1,300 square feet) and add a detached accessory structure sized at 24 by 36 feet (about 864 square feet). The accessory building will be constructed to meet residential code and cannot be a single monolithic slab foundation for residential use; it must meet foundation requirements such as a masonry-block or engineered poured-wall system, the staff member said.
Staff reviewed the six special-exception findings and the accessory-apartment supplemental standards, saying the proposal meets the rules that only one accessory apartment may exist with a single-family dwelling and that the apartment remain clearly secondary to the principal dwelling. Colfax supplies sewer to the site; staff emphasized the accessory unit must use the same sewer tap serving the house because the town has limited ability to create new taps.
The petitioners confirmed the new building dimensions and that there is sufficient room on site for off-street parking required for the house and the apartment. The BZA motion to approve the special exception incorporated the staff report by reference; Chester Banks moved, and Grant Mueller seconded. The board recorded a 4-0 roll-call vote in favor (Grant Mueller: yes; Stacy Pedigo: yes; Scott Hudsensberger: yes; Chester Banks: yes).
The board advised the petitioners to continue coordinating with staff on building-code details and permitting. The staff member said the applicants should contact the building inspector on foundation design and follow the town and county permitting process before construction begins.
