Middletown zoning board approves variance to allow event center at 1209 North University Boulevard

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Board of Zoning Appeals on April 2 approved a use variance (Case No. UV-9-25) permitting an assembly hall and conference center at 1209 North University Boulevard, the board said during its regular meeting.

City planning staff told the board the property is zoned O1 (Office District), where assembly halls and conference centers are prohibited under Table 12-4-3 of the Middletown development code. Staff said the applicant argues a unique hardship exists and that the property’s configuration and prior uses support the requested change.

In a staff report presented to the board, Ms. Fetters said the applicant contends “the current zoning does not align with the practical needs of an event center” and noted required legal notice was published and mailed to nearby property owners. Staff reported two public comments were received before the meeting: one nearby property owner raised parking concerns but remained neutral, and the current property owner submitted a letter supporting the application.

Andrea Goss, representing Gifted by Goss and the prospective buyer, said the group is seeking to purchase the building to operate it as an event center for weddings, banquets, graduation parties and similar gatherings. “We are looking to purchase the building to use it as the event center,” Goss said. She told the board the facility contains a full kitchen and that planned improvements would be primarily cosmetic; she did not give a maximum occupancy figure.

Jeff Forbes, an attorney with the law firm Wood & Lamping speaking for current owner Quest Holdings International, said the property has been used historically as a dining hall and that the owner supports the variance. “We are very excited about the opportunity of this new use, and we just wanted to be here to express that,” Forbes said. Chris Henkeline, the listing agent, added that an interim lease arrangement allows continued limited use of the building through June while students vacate a nearby property.

Board members discussed the property’s history — including a 2013 use adjustment that allowed dining-hall use — and noted the building was constructed in 1967. Several members said the site’s location and past use make an event center a reasonable option and that the use would fit the neighborhood’s character. Concerns were raised about parking and potential traffic turns at peak event times; staff explained that parking requirements are governed by use type and the certificate of occupancy and that the variance itself would not change the number of required parking spaces.

A motion to approve the use variance was made and seconded (mover and seconder not specified in the record). The roll call vote was 6-0 in favor: David Cash, Stefan Wanamaker, Gary Gross, Tom Evans, AJ Mantel and Jerry Heidenreich voted yes. The board’s approval allows the applicant to pursue the event-center use but does not replace or waive any building, health, fire or liquor permits required by other city or county agencies.

Next steps described on the record include the applicant completing any necessary permitting — including health-department approvals for food service and a liquor license if the operators elect to serve alcohol — and complying with certificate-of-occupancy and building-code requirements before full operation.

Votes at a glance: The board approved one action during the meeting: approval of the use variance (Case No. UV-9-25) to allow an assembly hall and conference center at 1209 North University Boulevard (roll call 6-0).