Middletown agency approves 3‑lot subdivision on Freeman Road with wetland‑marker condition

The Middletown Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency voted 5‑1 to grant Permit 2025‑8 for a three‑lot subdivision on Freeman Road (Map Lot 54‑0028), with the additional condition that wetland markers be placed on the properties.

Commissioner Jim read the draft motion tying the decision to Section 22a‑41 of the Connecticut General Statutes and the city’s inland wetlands regulations and concluded, “Therefore, permit 2025‑8 is granted with conditions,” while listing standard stipulations and a condition that each lot come back for an individual site plan before construction.

The applicant’s representative explained the plan revisions: the original four‑lot proposal was reduced to three lots after test‑pit and modeling concerns; the middle lot was removed and Lot 3 is noted as “to be developed at a later date.” The representative also said culverts and streams now appear on the revised map and that one driveway was relocated to use an existing gated farm pathway to avoid a blind corner.

Commission member Ken successfully proposed an added stipulation requiring placement of wetland markers on each property so future owners are aware of regulated boundaries. Ken explained the markers are intended to discourage future yard expansion or dumping near the wetlands.

Commissioner Trevor was the lone opposing vote, stating he could not “in good conscience approve this because there’s just so little wetlands” outside the 100‑foot review area and expressing concern about forthcoming regulations. Agency staff and the applicant noted that the inland wetland delineation was performed by a certified soil scientist and that there will be no direct disturbance of mapped wetlands.

The motion passed 5‑1. The agency recorded that Lots 1–3 will be required to return for individual site‑plan review prior to construction and that the approved plans and conditions will be documented in a permanent permit file.