Middletown planning board declares lead-agency intent for major projects and approves multiple site plans and permits

The City of Middletown Planning Board on Wednesday night voted to declare its intent to serve as lead agency under the state environmental review process for several large developments and approved a string of site plans and permits, while holding preliminary hearings on other projects.

The board voted to declare intent to act as lead agency for Troedale Developers’ mixed-use proposal at 33–49 Mulberry Street and for Dreamfield Brands’ proposed cannabis packaging and distribution facility at 55 Midland Avenue. The board also approved a similar notice for the Middletown Commons proposal at 203–231 Dolson Avenue. Ryan Fellinger of Fellinger Engineering, representing the Mulberry project, told the board the plan would include “98 residential units” plus about 4,000 square feet of commercial space and that the applicant has submitted a long-form environmental assessment and materials to the city’s consultant.

The board also approved or otherwise acted on a series of routine and substantive applications on Wednesday:

- A resolution approving an extension for the application at 28–30 West Main Street (sixth-month extension). The motion passed on roll call.

- A final resolution for Coats of Middletown LLC, 140–142 Dolson Avenue (KFC). Architect Paul Ashworth said an earlier parking dispute with an adjacent property owner has been resolved and that a recorded easement covers the drive-through; the board adopted the resolution after closing the public hearing.

- Approval for Green Eastern International LLC, 71 East Main Street, to operate an acupuncture clinic. The applicant confirmed practitioners must be licensed and discussed hours; the board resolved operating hours during the review and adopted the resolution.

- Approval for…