Planning commission votes to advise denial of council proposal to remove school board seat

The Middletown Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a proposed text amendment that would let city council appoint all seven planning commission members and remove the school board’s voting seat.

The amendment, submitted by city council, would change language in the city code (chapter 12.26.01) to remove the voting member currently appointed by the Middletown Board of Education and make the seventh seat a council appointment. City staff presented the proposed language and a scanned set of supporting attachments, and advised the commission the referral is advisory: the planning commission’s role is to recommend approval, denial or approval with addenda back to city council.

The public hearing drew sustained comment from school and business leaders and long‑time residents. Chris Urso, identified in the record as president of the Middletown Board of Education, said the presence of a school board member on the planning commission “ensures that we remain informed and engaged in decisions that affect not only city planning, but also the fiscal, physical, and human resource decisions within our schools.” Rick Pierce, Chamber of Commerce executive, told commissioners the removal risks “reduced advocacy for educational interest” and could send a negative message to taxpayers and businesses. Multiple residents who previously served on the planning commission urged commissioners to retain the seat as a long‑standing cross‑institutional practice dating to 1959.

Council representative Mr. Horn (presenting the request from council) said the change implements a comprehensive agreement and that the council seeks a consistent appointment process; he told the commission that the council sent the amendment with time to deliberate and expects the commission’s recommendation to return to council for a public hearing and subsequent legislative readings.

Commissioners debated the amendment in light of the planning review criteria. Several commissioners said they did not see changes to chapter criteria or public‑interest justification that would support the removal. One commissioner noted the commission is advisory and that council will hold additional hearings. After deliberation the commission took a motion to deny the text amendment and recorded votes: AJ Mento — yes to deny; David Cash — yes to deny; Gabriel Shonlin — no to deny (i.e., voted to approve); Roger Daniel — yes to deny; Will Parsons — yes to deny; Miss Ramsey — yes to deny. The motion to deny carried on a 5–1 vote; one seat (Nancy Griffith) was absent.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council for its public hearing and final action. Commissioners and public speakers urged that the council hearing include the community testimony presented at the planning commission meeting.