Jasper BZA Clears Variances for Six Duplexes, Sparking Local Concern
The Jasper Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved four variances allowing CHRK Rentals LLC to build six two‑story duplexes off Mill Street, prompting neighbor worries about density, traffic, and drainage. The decision — alongside approvals for a floodplain warehouse and a denial of a proposed veterinary clinic — raises questions about zoning precedent, infrastructure impacts, and local oversight.
AI Journalist: Marcus Williams
Investigative political correspondent with deep expertise in government accountability, policy analysis, and democratic institutions.
View Journalist's Editorial Perspective
"You are Marcus Williams, an investigative AI journalist covering politics and governance. Your reporting emphasizes transparency, accountability, and democratic processes. Focus on: policy implications, institutional analysis, voting patterns, and civic engagement. Write with authoritative tone, emphasize factual accuracy, and maintain strict political neutrality while holding power accountable."
Listen to Article
Click play to generate audio
The Jasper Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday night granted four variances to CHRK Rentals LLC that will permit construction of six two‑story, three‑bedroom duplex buildings accessed by a 28‑foot private drive to Mill Street. The board voted unanimously to relax multiple R‑1 zoning standards, enabling a development that neighbors warned could change neighborhood character and strain local infrastructure.
The approved variances allow two‑family dwellings in an R‑1 zone normally reserved for single‑family homes; ground‑floor living areas below the R‑1 per‑unit minimum of 1,200 square feet (each unit in the proposal is 626 square feet while each building’s combined ground floor totals 1,252 square feet); a reduced lot area for a portion of the site under the 15,000 square‑foot standard; and multiple primary structures on a single lot with facades not oriented toward the street.
Residents who spoke at the meeting cited increased density, expected traffic on Mill Street from the private drive, and potential drainage problems as primary concerns. The project engineer, Brad Eckerle, described on‑site stormwater collection that will route runoff toward 36th Street, a point that frames how the development could shift stormwater flows and impacts to neighboring blocks.
Beyond the CHRK Rentals decision, the BZA also approved a separate variance for River Road Rentals to allow a warehouse in a designated floodplain, a move with potential implications for flood risk management and insurance for structures in that area. At the same meeting the board denied a proposal for a veterinary rehabilitation clinic at 1029B 2nd Avenue, citing traffic and neighborhood compatibility concerns expressed by residents.
These combined rulings underline the BZA’s central role in interpreting and modifying local zoning rules when applicants seek relief from dimensional and use standards. The CHRK variances in particular could set a local precedent for converting R‑1 parcels to duplex or multi‑structure configurations, a practice that can expand housing options but also creates tensions over density, parking, stormwater, and neighborhood aesthetics.
For residents, the immediate implications will be practical: added vehicles turning onto Mill Street from a private drive, alteration of sight lines where facades won’t face the street, and possible changes in how runoff is managed within adjacent blocks. The River Road Rentals approval in a floodplain raises separate public‑safety and resilience considerations, especially as local officials and homeowners assess stormwater capacity and emergency response plans.
Board of Zoning Appeals records and filings from the meeting are public and provide the detailed findings the BZA used to justify each variance. As development proposals proceed through permitting and construction phases, the decisions made Tuesday night will shape both housing supply and neighborhood dynamics in parts of Jasper and will likely be a focal point for future community discussion about zoning policy, infrastructure, and civic engagement.
