Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall and virtually via WebEx. The meeting included six public hearings, two GS 8-24 lease reports, and administrative items. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• The commission voted to move agenda items 8.1 and 8.2 (GS 8-24 lease reports) ahead of the public hearings.
• Minutes of the July 22, 2026 regular meeting were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the non-hearing public comment period, Alex Amador urged the commission to spearhead a four-town coalition with Cromwell, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield to launch a joint public transit survey to advocate for passenger rail along the I-91 corridor, referencing a "Putnam playbook" to gather demand data before the 2027 state rail plan is finalized.
• No public comments were made during the second non-hearing comment period (item 9).
• Numerous residents provided testimony during the public hearings; their comments are summarized under the relevant hearing items below.

Public Hearings

6.1 - Lot Confirmation, Special Exception, and Site Plan for Single-Family Home at Round Hill Road (SE2026-8)

• Applicant Paul Swiderski requested approval to build a single-family home on a rear lot within his nearly 17-acre property in the R-60 zone. He noted the site is already cleared, a driveway has been installed, and approximately 100 evergreen trees were planted along 450 feet of the property line as a buffer. He also requested lot confirmation based on the deed history.
• Public testimony: Paul Suzick (490 Coleman Road), who owns land behind the property, raised concerns about being landlocked and asked the commission to review access rights. Several neighbors, including Molly Shaw (503 Round Hill Road), Kelly Orasco (520 Round Hill Road), and Paul Pell Tare (561 Round Hill), expressed support for the project.
• Commission discussion: Director Kozikowski clarified that the city GIS map is not a surveyed map, no easement was found in the deed record, and that an easement by necessity would be a private legal matter. The commission closed the public hearing and approved the application unanimously.

6.2 - Special Exception to Convert Existing Home to Two-Family at 26 Sand Hill Road (SE2026-11)

• Applicant Michael Catrini requested a special exception to convert his single-family home into a two-family dwelling for his younger son. He stated no exterior construction is needed; only a kitchen addition and divider door upstairs.
• No public comments were offered. The commission closed the hearing and approved the application unanimously.

6.3 - Zoning Text Amendment for Public Safety Facilities in Residential Zones (Z2026-6)

• Director Marek Kozikowski presented a text amendment to add "public safety facility" as a special exception use in residential zones, with new definitions and standards (municipal ownership, public need, site design, and operational effects). He explained that existing public safety facilities are nonconforming and cannot expand without this change.
• Bobby Grower, Director of the 911 Center, explained the urgent need for a new facility due to overcrowding and the 2024 voter-approved $10 million bond for a new call center.
• Commission discussion addressed RiverCOG's comments and staff clarifications. The public hearing was closed and the text amendment approved unanimously.

6.4 - Special Exception and Site Plan for New 6,800 SF 911 Call Center at 499 Mile Lane (SE2026-9)

• Presenters Brian Phillips (Langan Engineering) and Matt Salad (Tecton Architects) detailed the project: a 6,800 SF dispatch center on a 24-acre site, with 37 parking spaces, stormwater detention, dark-sky lighting, and a brick building named the George Dunn Central Communications Center. The facility is designed as a Risk Category IV structure with full security.
• No public comments were made. Commissioners asked about accessible design, bicycle parking, and the advantages of a standalone dispatch center. The hearing was closed and the application approved unanimously.

6.5 & 6.6 - Resubdivision for 29 Lots and Special Exception for Lot Sizes at East Main Street/Sand Hill Road (S2026-5, SE2026-10)

• Attorney Richard Carella and engineer John Gable presented a combined application to create 29 residential lots on 11.61 acres in the RPZ zone, with two cul-de-sac roads (930 feet and 440 feet), a 50-foot right-of-way to the city for future emergency access to Bealfield School, and a request for a special exception allowing smaller lot sizes (approximately 50-foot frontage) consistent with the neighborhood.
• Public comments included:
  • Mark Davis (on behalf of the Fennessey family at 138 Sand Hill Road) requested the hearing be continued, noting the applicant's response to public works comments was only distributed that day and raised stormwater concerns.
  • Michael Catrini supported housing but asked about lot frontage and vegetated buffers.
  • Marshall Tutton expressed support for housing but raised traffic safety concerns at nearby intersections and requested a traffic study.
  • Dennis and Judy Fennessey voiced concerns about stormwater runoff and protection of their mature pine trees.
• The applicant provided detailed responses, including revisions to stormwater management. Commissioner discussion noted the 11th-hour nature of the revised plans and the lack of public works review. The commission voted unanimously to continue the combined public hearing to the September 9, 2026 meeting.

New Business

8.1 - GS 8-24 Report for IS Marketing, Inc. Lease

• EDC representative Judas Lamson Rockwell presented a new commercial lease for IS Marketing, Inc. at the R.M. Keating Historical Enterprise Park, 180 Johnson Street. The 900-square-foot space is leased at $6.67 per square foot for the first year, effective October 1. The commission approved the affirmative GS 8-24 report.

8.2 - GS 8-24 Report for Middletown CF, LLC (CrossFit) Lease

• The commission reviewed a lease for Middletown CrossFit for an outdoor field area of 3,800 square feet adjacent to their current space at the same park. The rent is $1.25 per square foot. The affirmative GS 8-24 report was approved.

Staff Reports and Commission Affairs

• A RiverCOG report was not provided as no meeting had occurred.
• Director Kozikowski reported that an appeal was filed regarding the Randolph Road farmers market decision; an executive session may be needed at a future meeting.
• No commission affairs were discussed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 unanimously.
• Continued the combined public hearing for 6.5 and 6.6 to September 9, 2026.
• Approved GS 8-24 reports for IS Marketing and Middletown CrossFit.
• Approved the July 22, 2026 minutes.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 PM.