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Commission unanimously endorses RiverCog TOD vision plan for Middletown
Summary
The commission voted to endorse the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments' transit-oriented development (TOD) vision plan, a USDOT-funded regional project that outlines zoning, market analysis and concept projects for Middletown's bus terminal area and related corridors.
The Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously endorsed the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments’ regional Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Vision Plan, a two-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program.
Megan Jupolis, deputy director at RiverCog, presented the plan’s framework and municipal-specific analysis, saying the study identified three tiers of TOD (transit hubs, local destinations and regional links), reviewed zoning and connectivity within a half-mile and one-mile radius of the bus terminal, and provided a market analysis and development-capacity assessment for Middletown. "We selected sites that were zoned commercial, industrial, mixed use, and higher density residential," Jupolis said, and the local capacity review "left us with 177 parcels at less than 10,000 square feet and 73 parcels at greater than 10,000 square feet."
Jupolis said the plan’s concept projects are illustrative rather than prescriptive, and that RiverCog will seek endorsement from the four participating municipalities (Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook and Middletown) before bringing the plan to the RiverCog board. She noted Old Saybrook and Clinton have already endorsed the plan; RiverCog is still awaiting Westbrook’s decision.
Commissioners generally praised the plan as consistent with Middletown’s Plan of Conservation and Development and useful for grant applications and future project planning. Commissioner Giuliano said he "didn't come across anything earth shattering" but added the plan could help the city be "a little more innovative" to draw investment. Commissioner McAvoy asked whether there has been any developer interest to date; Jupolis said developers participated in stakeholder engagement but she had not heard specific commitments to build.
Commissioner Nathaniel Spencer moved to approve item 8.2, the request for endorsement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.
Next steps: with the commission’s endorsement, RiverCog will consider municipal feedback, seek final local endorsements as appropriate, and bring the regional plan to the RiverCog board for adoption; staff will keep the commission informed on any implementation support or funding opportunities.
