Middletown planning board approves permits for six small businesses, requires city and state permits

MIDDLETOWN — The City of Middletown Planning Board on May 7 approved permits or resolutions for six small businesses, including two eating-and-drinking establishments, a convenience store and an administrative office for a home‑care agency. The board closed one matter after the applicant failed to appear.

The approvals carry standard conditions: applicants must obtain required city permits (building, fire and sign), any state approvals such as those from the State Liquor Authority (SLA) for alcohol, and local tobacco and Board of Health permissions where noted. The board recorded unanimous roll‑call votes for each approval.

The most detailed application was for 5 South Street, where applicant Michelle Severino sought permission for a multipurpose artisan workshop and a limited eating-and-drinking use tied to events and children's programming. Severino said the business, called the Wizard of Dolls, will offer doll restoration, classes and occasional packaged refreshments for supervised youth groups. The board approved the resolution; board members said fire and safety inspections would occur before opening.

At 12 North Street, Vicki Andrade requested permission to add beer and wine to an existing studio and event space (Art Vicky Cre­ations / Tranquility). The board approved the change but noted the applicant must secure SLA approval and meet Board of Health requirements and fire‑safety code before serving alcohol.

Brooke Jones received approval to operate a convenience store at 130½ Wickham Avenue selling beverages, snacks, pet food and tobacco products. The applicant said hours would generally run to 10 p.m.; the board and the fire inspector reiterated that the applicant must obtain a city business permit, a tobacco permit from the Department of Public Works (DPW), and any required sign permits and building permits before opening. The fire inspector also reminded the applicant that licensed electricians and plumbers must perform any required work.

The board approved an application from Attending Home Care Services LLC for an administrative, recruitment and training office at the Irwin Avenue address. Jade Del Rojas, a recruiter for the company, said the location will house HR, orientation and processing for caregivers and will not function as a patient treatment site. Planning staff and the fire inspector recorded and the board noted that this use is administrative only; the board approved the resolution with the clarification that no patient care would take place on site.

An application by Hesham (Sean) Jamal for a grocery/deli at 366–368 North Street was approved with the record showing that alcohol would not be sold at the location under the current resolution. Board members reminded the applicant that exterior signage, lighting and any construction require DPW and building‑permit approvals.

At 203 North Street, Saul Figardo spoke on behalf of his brother Sergio, who plans to open a taco restaurant. The board confirmed the property’s DMU zoning allows early openings and late closings: a 6 a.m. start, closing at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight Sunday through Thursday. The board approved the resolution; the applicant was told to pursue the necessary building and food‑service permits and any SLA approvals if alcohol is later requested.

A separate item for 28–32 County Highway 78 (Skin Spa, applicant Humberto Calero) was called twice; the applicant did not appear and the matter was removed from the agenda.

Votes at a glance - 5 South Street (Wizard of Dolls), multipurpose artisan workshop and limited eating/drinking: approved (roll call: Madden, Brito, Witt, Houston, Higbee and Chair — all yes). - 12 North Street (Art Vicki Creations / Tranquility), add beer and wine: approved (all yes); SLA and Board of Health approvals required. - 130½ Wickham Avenue (convenience store, Brooke Jones): approved (all yes); tobacco permit and city permits required. - Irwin Avenue (Attending Home Care Services LLC office, Jade Del Rojas): approved (all yes); clarified as administrative HR/training office, not a patient facility. - 366–368 North Street (grocery/deli, Hesham/Sean Jamal): approved (all yes); resolution states no alcohol at this time. - 203 North Street (taco restaurant, Sergio Acala / Saul Figardo): approved (all yes); DMU hours noted (6 a.m. start; 2 a.m. Fri–Sat; midnight Sun–Thu). - 28–32 County Highway 78 (Skin Spa, Humberto Calero): applicant did not appear; matter removed.

Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized that approvals are contingent on the applicants obtaining required city permits (building, sign, business), fire inspections and any state approvals (SLA) or Board of Health clearances. Several applicants were told the Bureau of Fire Prevention would perform site visits and that plumbing and electrical work must be performed by licensed professionals.

The Planning Board closed the meeting after approving the listed resolutions and removing the no‑show item; applicants must return to the respective city and state agencies to secure final permits before opening.