Tipton City — Officials at a Tipton City public hearing approved a use-variance request to allow construction of a two-unit attached dwelling (a duplex) at 836 Maple Street, the applicant told the panel and staff said the proposal meets local development criteria.

In a staff report, Judy Coker, staff, said the request is a use variance to construct a two-family dwelling in an R-1 (single-family residential) zoning district and that staff had no concerns with the variance criteria. Coker said the city’s comprehensive plan supports infill housing and that certified mailings were sent to neighbors and a sign was placed on the property on Aug. 1; no public calls were received in response to the notice.

Derek Bryant, representing DSM Development LLC, described the project as an infill duplex roughly 2,100 square feet in total, with each unit planned as three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Bryant said the site design provides four parking spaces in the rear off the alley, with on-street parking available as well, and that sidewalks will be installed. He said the developer’s target rent is approximately $1,500 per unit (Bryant later estimated up to about $1,650 with fees), and that the team is exploring packaging utilities and Wi‑Fi into tenant rents.

Coker told the panel the duplex design meets required setbacks for the R-1 district and complies with local lot-coverage limits (the city’s accessory-structure and lot-coverage standards were discussed during questions). Panel members asked about accessory structures and how lot coverage is measured; staff said accessory structures must meet the same setbacks and that the city’s lot-coverage limit is 40%.

After brief discussion and questions about parking and utilities, a motion to approve the variance passed. During the roll call, the body voiced general assent; one member, Roberta Heintzeman, recorded an opposed vote. The meeting record does not show a complete numeric tally for the motion.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for the Aug. 15 meeting — approved (exact tally not specified).
- Use variance, CTIV 26-25 (DSM Development LLC), 836 Maple Street — approved; recorded opposition by Roberta Heintzeman; exact tally not specified.
- Findings of factor CCIB 23-25 (old business) — motion to approve passed (exact tally not specified).

The applicant was told to proceed with permitting steps after the hearing. The hearing record includes staff guidance on setback and lot-coverage limits and confirms certified notice to adjacent property owners; no written public objections were reported during the hearing.