Middletown approves temporary Paranormal Circus at Oxford Valley Mall

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 19 to approve a conditional-use application from Cirque Entertainment 3 LLC to hold a four-day "Paranormal Circus" at the Oxford Valley Mall parking lot from Oct. 6 through Oct. 9.

Solicitor Esposito opened the hearing and submitted the applicant's exhibits, including the application, notices, mailing and the Planning Commission's recommendation. Township Manager summarized the filing and told the board the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions including full compliance with the township's zoning ordinance, securing all necessary permits and posting a $3,000 escrow to cover township fire, police and emergency costs.

Benjamin Holland, who identified himself as the applicant's representative, described the event as a human-only acrobatic show with a haunted-theme entrance and bleacher seating for performances. "It's about an hour and a half long, maybe an hour 40," Holland said, adding that most tickets would sell online though an on-site box office would also be available.

After closing testimony, an unidentified presiding officer moved to approve the conditional use; the motion was seconded and the board recorded a voice vote of "Aye," with the chair announcing the motion passed 4-0.

The approval carries the conditions the Planning Commission recommended: adherence to the township zoning and related codes, acquisition of all permits and approvals required by other agencies, and posting the escrow to cover emergency-service costs. The board did not record additional modifications to hours or operations beyond what was in the applicant's submission.

The board's files include the applicant's site plan, tent and seating charts and an emergency fire and evacuation plan; the applicant and township must ensure those documents and all permits are finalized before the event.