Middletown zoning board approves series of residential variances and additions

The Town of Middletown Zoning Board approved a slate of residential petitions that largely sought relief for garage additions, an elevator addition and a small one-story expansion.

In summary votes during the meeting, the board granted variance requests for: an elevator addition at 47 Seascape Ave; an additional garage bay at 20 William Drive; demolition and reconstruction of a garage with four-foot rear extension and living space above at 21 Murphy Circle; an attached two-car garage and small office bump-out at 3 Tony Lynn Terrace; and a one-story addition at 53 Center Ave. Most petitions were heard as summary cases and faced little public opposition.

Applicants and their representatives described each project as intended to preserve single-family use and improve livability. For 21 Murphy Circle, owner Jeremy Booth said the existing garage foundation and sill were deteriorated and that the new structure would use the same north lot line placement while adding four feet to the rear and living area above. Booth told the board the space is for his family and not intended for short-term rental use. Neighbors who testified said they supported several applications, noting many nearby homes have attached garages and that the proposals fit neighborhood character.

Attorney Tanner Jackson represented Craig and Anne Schmidt and said the proposed attached two-car garage and small office bump-out would keep lot coverage well below the R-20 zone limit; he noted the house was sited close to the front property line when built in 1974, which constrained where additions could be placed. Architect Brian Shull presented the 53 Center Ave application; owner Kathleen Foley said the house is currently a short-term rental but she intends to move there eventually.

The board recorded unanimous approvals (5-0) for each of these residential petitions, with the chair noting standard conditions such as submitting a written decision to the town office. The board also briefly discussed administrative paperwork: one item (an owner-occupied short-term rental special-use) had been misadvertised and was continued to the March 25 meeting to allow re-advertising as a special-use request rather than a variance.

Votes at a glance: Joseph (John) Brooks, 47 Seascape Ave — elevator addition variance approved, 5-0. Thomas Basil, 20 William Drive — garage bay variance approved, 5-0. Jeremy Booth, 21 Murphy Circle — demolish/rebuild garage with living space above variance approved, 5-0. Craig and Ann Schmidt, Tony Lynn Terrace — attached two-car garage and office bump-out variance approved, 5-0. Kathleen Foley, 53 Center Ave — one-story addition variance approved, 5-0.