Planning board approves Priority Automotive plan at 310 West Main Road with landscaping condition

The Town of Middletown Planning Board approved a combined preliminary and final development plan review for reconstruction of an existing roughly 1,500-square-foot service bay at 310 West Main Road and granted requested waivers from parts of the town—s commercial development design requirements. The board attached a condition requiring submission of a landscape plan to the town—s Tree Commission.

Applicant representatives said the project would demolish and replace the rear 1,500-square-foot portion of the building used for car washing and service without increasing the building footprint, but would raise the roof height about 2 to 3 feet so modern vans and trucks can be serviced. Attorney (applicant representative) Mister Silva told the board the work includes replacement and repair of windows on multiple facades and routine exterior improvements; contractor Bruce Jaffe said the existing roof height was about 12 feet and would be raised to roughly 19 to 20 feet to allow two vehicle lifts.

During the public hearing, several board members and members of the public pressed the applicant to improve screening and landscaping along the Race Street/ Ray Street side and the West Main Road frontage. Mister Silva and the applicant—s representatives said they would work with the Tree Commission and proposed planting evergreens and other shrubs; they also committed to front-yard plantings and planters around the new sign. The planning board—s motion to grant waivers and approve the combined plan included a condition requiring submission of a landscaping plan to the Tree Commission and the board noted the finding that the application otherwise met the standards for land development approval.

The board voted to approve the plan with the Tree Commission landscaping condition. No variances from zoning were required for this item.