Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission met on June 24, 2026, at 7:01 PM in City Hall Council Chambers and via WebEx. The meeting included a public hearing on zoning code amendments to comply with state housing mandates, approval of a surplus city property sale, and site plan approvals for two industrial/commercial developments. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the designated public comment periods for items on the agenda (items 8.1–8.3) or for topics not subject to a public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Item 8.1 – GS 8-24 Report for Surplus Property at Brown Street: Christine Marques (Economic and Community Development) presented a request for an affirmative report on the sale of a surplus city lot (Map-Lot 30-0201, R-15 zone) to an adjacent homeowner. The lot is non-buildable due to wetlands and utilities; the neighbor would maintain it. The commission voted unanimously to affirm the report.
• Items 8.2 & 8.3 – Site Plan Approvals for 1985 and 2015 South Main Street: The applicant, Black Diamond Partners LLC, presented plans for three industrial/commercial buildings: a 40,447 SF building (Building A) and two buildings of 29,600 SF and 29,750 SF (Buildings B and C) on parcels totaling 8.11 acres in the I-4 zone. Proposed uses include industrial manufacturing, warehouse, and contractor flex space. The plans include lot line modification, parking (with EV charging), landscaping, stormwater management, and septic systems. Engineering review comments had not been finalized, but the applicant stated that all outstanding issues were minor and could be addressed as conditions of approval. The developer noted the project would generate substantial tax revenue and employment. The commission approved both site plans with conditions including satisfactory review by city departments, filing of easements and lot line revision, modification of the landscaping plan to include 25 maple and 25 dogwood trees, and posting of an erosion control bond.
• Item 6.1 – Public Hearing (Continued) – Zoning Code & Map Amendments for PA 25-1: Director Marek Kozikowski presented updates to the proposed amendments to comply with the state's housing growth mandate (Public Act 25-1). He clarified that the parking management district would encompass 3.99% of the city's land area, covering major corridors (Main Street, Washington Street, South Main Street, Main Street Extension, and Saybrook Road). Outside this district, no parking would be required for developments with fewer than 16 residential units. He also addressed ADA parking requirements for developments with accessible units and corrected a scrivener's error (the new mixed-use middle housing standards should be in section 4.26, not 4.25). Discussion included concerns about loss of local control, the ability to make future changes, and a legal conflict between the city charter and state law regarding the vote threshold (five votes vs. four). Commissioner Szynkowicz expressed opposition due to the removal of public hearing rights for certain developments, but ultimately the motion passed 7–1.
• RiverCOG Report: Commissioner reported that RiverCOG discussed House Bill 5502 (which would allow residential units in industrial zones), which did not pass but is expected to return; members were urged to contact legislators.
• Staff Report: Director Kozikowski announced a community resiliency workshop on July 23, a pending contract to review zoning code for ADA and fair housing compliance, and an invitation for commissioners to a site walk with Wesleyan University (July 1 or 2) regarding a proposed redevelopment of Williams Street.

Key Outcomes

• Item 8.1: Motion to affirm the GS 8-24 report passed unanimously (voice vote).
• Item 8.2 (1985 South Main Street): Motion to approve site plan with conditions passed (voice vote, no dissent).
• Item 8.3 (2015 South Main Street): Motion to approve site plan with identical conditions passed (voice vote, no dissent).
• Item 6.1 (Zoning Code Amendments): Motion to approve passed 7–1 (Commissioner Szynkowicz dissenting; Commissioner Ekstrom absent). (Roll call: Pattavina aye, Ekstrom absent, Spencer aye, Emery aye, Monarca not seated, Reagan aye, Szynkowicz nay, Cunningham aye, McEvoy aye.)
• Minutes of June 10, 2026: Approved (voice vote, with one abstention).
• Adjournment: Motion passed at 8:29 PM.