Planning board approves BDK Masonary’s site plan for beer-and-wine eatery at 101 North Street, requires ARB review for exterior work

The Middletown Planning Board on March 4 approved the site plan for BDK Masonary and Construction Corp.’s proposed eating-and-drinking establishment with beer-and-wine service at 101 North Street, following a continued public hearing.

Applicant representative Jim Dylan Jr. told the board he had been asked to appear to “move this site plan along” after not attending the original hearing. The board emphasized that the continuance was called so staff could confirm there were no encroachments or unrecorded easements; the applicant’s survey showed a single access easement to Railroad Avenue and no other encroachments.

The chair cautioned the applicant that exterior equipment—specifically a cooler planned for the building’s exterior—must receive approval from the Architectural Review Board before installation. “Before you build that or do anything with that, meet with the Architectural Review Board,” the chair said, and named Maria Brunie at city hall as the ARB chair and contact for scheduling.

Fire Inspector Andrew Witkowski and DPW Building Inspector Sixto Martinez reported no concerns with the application when asked by the board. After discussion the board moved to a vote; the motion to approve the resolution for BDK Masonary and Construction Corp. (eating-and-drinking establishment, beer and wine) passed on a unanimous roll call.

The chair directed the applicant to consult the planning board’s resolution and to work with inspectors and ARB staff on exterior elements before making changes to the façade or installing the cooler. The approval was limited to the site plan and resolution conditions discussed at the hearing.