Zoning board approves 9.7-foot setback variance for Sobo & Sobo at 20 Preston Street

The Middletown Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday approved an area variance that reduces the required front setback at 20 Preston Street by 9.7 feet, allowing Sobo & Sobo to use part of an existing building for office space.

Gary Sobo of Sobo and Sobo told the board the building “does not have the setback required by today's standards” and said the firm planned to use part of the property as an annex for its law office at 1 Dolson Avenue. Staff and the board noted the building is longstanding and that a site-plan application for parking remains pending before the Planning Board.

During the five-factor review, board members and staff discussed neighborhood character, whether alternate options existed, the substantiality of the request and whether the difficulty was self-created. Sobo said the building had been in use for a long time and that the change "would not hurt or harm anybody." Planning staff (Mister Martinez) confirmed a building permit is pending the necessary approvals.

A motion to grant the variance under section 475-20(f)(1) was seconded by Keith Hollick; the board polled members individually and recorded affirmative votes from all members present. Counselor Rich Krogan advised that, with the variance granted, the applicant must return to the Planning Board for site-plan approval and comply with any planning conditions.

The board’s approval clears a zoning hurdle but does not replace Planning Board review of parking, site layout or any conditions the planning board might impose.