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ZBA approves variances for conversion of St. John school into 16 apartments, including deed-restricted units
Summary
The Zoning Board approved variances allowing subdivision and multifamily use at 5 Saint John Square to convert a historic parochial school into 16 residential units, with a portion deed-restricted for affordable or workforce housing and broad support from preservation groups.
The Middletown Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant variances needed to convert the long-vacant St. John parochial school and adjacent buildings at 5 Saint John Square into 16 residential units.
Brian Lyman of Parker Benjamin Real Estate and Dimitri (director of development) said the plan preserves exteriors and focuses development within existing structures; the project will subdivide property lines, creating nonconforming side-yard conditions that require relief. Dimitri said units will be deed-restricted at affordable or workforce levels for a share of the building’s apartments.
Preservation advocates from Preservation Connecticut and the Middlesex County Historical Society urged approval. “This building is a National Register–listed building of great significance to the community,” said Renee Trabert, who urged the board to support adaptive reuse rather than demolition. Municipal historian Debbie Shapiro and historical‑society representatives described the building as a downtown anchor whose loss would harm Main Street’s character.
A planning/staff speaker clarified why multifamily relief is needed: density and open-space requirements tied to the M zone would make the proposed unit count unworkable without variances for lot area per unit. Board members emphasized the public benefit—returning a vacant historic property to productive use, restoring it to the tax rolls, and adding deed-restricted units to downtown housing stock—and moved and seconded to approve the requested variances.
The board approved the variances, allowing the applicant to proceed with plans to restore the school and create 16 units while working with the State Historic Preservation Office on preservation details.
