Watertown Housing Project Secured: One-Year Variance Extension Granted for 1st Avenue SE Fourplex
- Steve Jurrens
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Plans for a new multi-family housing development at 1031 1st Avenue SE have received a vital lifeline. The Watertown Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant a one-year extension for a previously approved setback variance, allowing developers to move forward with the construction of a fourplex.
Navigating Narrow Lot Constraints
TNJ Properties LLC and owner Jesse Nygaard requested the extension. The project involves a corner lot with unique dimensions—approximately 8,337 square feet—that would be nearly impossible to develop under standard R-3 Multi-Family Residential District regulations.
Standard rules require a 30-foot front yard and a 10-foot side yard. However, to accommodate a building wide enough for student housing and multi-family units, the Board upheld a variance allowing for:
· A 20-foot front yard setback on the south property line.
· A 5-foot side yard setback on the west property line.
Progress and Community Impact
Community Development Manager Brandi Hanten reported that the applicant has already made significant progress, including the demolition of a trailer house and an older structure previously on the site. The one-year extension provides the necessary time to finalize building permits and begin construction this spring.
The Board reiterated its original findings from February 2025, noting that the project is in harmony with the neighborhood’s character and will actually improve safety by eliminating certain access points off 11th Street SE.
By granting this extension, the city continues to support high-density residential options near the Lake Area Technical College (LATC) campus, addressing a critical need for student and local housing.
