Middletown commission approves 95,000 sq ft Shellco Filters facility after neighbors press for traffic study and stronger screening

The Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission on July 3 approved a site plan for a new 95,000-square-foot Shellco Filters warehouse and manufacturing facility at 1189 and 1221 Middle Street, attaching conditions that include incorporation of staff comments, a traffic study requested by neighboring Berlin officials, and a requirement that any phase 2 work return to the commission for separate approval.

Neighbors described safety and quality-of-life concerns during public comment. "A car blew through the 4-way stop and crashed directly into my porch," said Jessica Lidke of 522 Main Street, East Berlin, describing an incident near her home and saying she fears that a facility with parking and truck movements will exacerbate speeding and truck detours through residential streets. Candy Lincoln, who lives across from the site, urged more robust screening and measures to limit commercial traffic: "We'd really like to limit the light and noise nuisance" and suggested an evergreen barrier along Spruce Brook Road. Jacob Knoll, who lives nearby, asked for elevation drawings and a stronger buffer, noting the applicant proposed only three maples as screening.

Applicant representatives said the new facility is needed to expand production. "We manufacture liquid purification filters," Gary Dayharsh said, adding the plant typically would run an eight-hour manufacturing shift starting at about 7 a.m., with office staff until about 5 p.m. He estimated "2 or 3 tractor trailers" in and out on a typical day during phase 1 and offered to work with staff on signage and additional evergreen screening so trucks route south on Middle Street rather than through East Berlin. Rebecca Lee of Arleveque Associates described stormwater controls, utilities and a phasing plan in which phase 1 (about 45,000 sq ft) would include the stormwater system sized to serve the full project.

Commissioners pressed for traffic clarity and buffering. Vice chair Sebastian Giuliano moved approval with three written conditions: (1) incorporate all staff comments by reference, (2) no phase 2 construction without returning to the commission for approval, and (3) complete the traffic study. Commissioner Elizabeth Emery and others secured an amendment specifying the option and expectation for additional evergreen (year-round) screening along the northern property line beyond the code-required minimum buffer.

Robert Lacanche, president of Shellco Filters, said phase 1 would employ roughly 8–10 people and that many pickups would continue from the company’s Bradley Street location while the new facility operates; he said it may take years to build out to full 95,000 sq ft. The applicant noted the current scale did not trigger STC approval and committed to post-construction signage directing trucks to turn right and proceed south on Middle Street when possible.

The commission held a roll-call vote after the motion and amendment and approved the site plan unanimously; each commissioner present voted "aye." The motion also required the applicant to address outstanding water and sewer technical comments noted by staff (meter pit, lateral diameter/elevations) as conditions of final approval.

Next steps: the applicant must submit the traffic study requested by Berlin’s planner and finalize the detailed landscaping and engineering notes to satisfy staff conditions. Any work defined as phase 2 must return to the commission for separate site-plan review before construction may proceed.