Middletown approves setback variance for 2,016-square-foot fire department garage at 169 Cross Street

The Middletown municipal meeting on July 8 approved a variance to the town's zoning code to allow construction of a 2,016-square-foot garage for the fire department at 169 Cross Street.

Applicant Paul Pizzo, of Landmark Architects, representing the City of Middletown Fire Department, told the council the three-bay garage was designed to house boats, pickup trucks and an additional apparatus currently stored off-site. "They needed a garage, to store their boats and their equipment that's in the back," Pizzo said, and described the structure as roughly 16 feet by 40 feet per bay. He said the building must encroach on the side and rear setbacks (reducing both to about 5 feet) because of site constraints and existing circulation: "There are doors in the back also... So trucks come around the back and they actually pull in from the back," he said.

Pizzo framed the request as a hardship driven by the station's changing needs. "This building was constructed for a 4 person department shift and now up to 8," he said, arguing additional personnel led to more apparatus and the need for nearby storage. He also said some apparatus is currently held at the water and sewer department and that storing vehicles on-site would centralize operations and protect equipment from being left outside.

Council members questioned whether the garage could be placed behind the station to avoid a variance. Pizzo said alternative locations were considered but that the proposed site remained the only viable option that preserved vehicle access: "We tried putting other places, but this is clearly the area that seemed the most fit." He also addressed parking concerns, noting the site contains roughly 27 spaces though plans showed 20, and that dispatch operations will move to a new facility within about a year, freeing space for sleeping quarters and reducing long-term parking pressure.

The council noted a letter from Wesleyan indicating it had no objection. After brief discussion that members characterized as acknowledging a legitimate hardship, a council member moved to approve the request for a variance to Middletown zoning code section 2.2.0.3 to permit the 2,016-square-foot garage; the motion was seconded and recorded vocal "aye" votes, and the motion passed.

Separately, the council held item 8.2 because a member had recused himself and the body would not maintain a quorum without Linda Guarino; that item will return for consideration later. The meeting then adjourned.