Bremen board approves special exception for three-unit triplex at 121 North Jackson

The Bremen Board of Zoning Appeals voted July 21 to grant a special exception and limited lot-coverage relief so a property owner can build a three-unit triplex at 121 North Jackson.

Staff told the board the parcel is zoned R-6, where multifamily housing requires a special use authorization; the requested lot coverage was roughly 41%, slightly above the 40% standard. The board reviewed ordinance criteria — general welfare, development standards, practical difficulty and unnecessary hardship — and had no written objections on file.

Applicant Stephanie Cerna told the board her husband prepared the drawings and described a one-story-over-basement building with three connected units, front gravel parking and separate meters if needed. “My husband drew up a little plan,” Cerna said, describing unit layouts and parking arrangements. Board members and staff checked setbacks (25-foot front, 15-foot rear, 5-foot sides) and confirmed unit footprints exceed the 700-square-foot floor-area threshold the board used for multifamily review.

Staff also clarified utilities would likely require three sewer taps and three meters if the units are separately metered, a potential additional cost the applicant acknowledged. The board agreed sidewalk details and final utility arrangements should be worked out with town staff after approval.

A motion to approve application 25-10 as submitted was moved and seconded; the board approved the request by voice vote. Staff told the applicant that Keith and Austin Langden would contact her to coordinate sidewalk configuration and utility questions.

The decision grants the special-exception for multifamily use and the modest lot-coverage relief; the applicant must complete permitting and utility hookups through county permitting processes before construction begins.