Commission Approves Two Commercial Leases at RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park

The Middletown Planning & Zoning Commission on July 22 approved two affirmative G.S. 8‑24 reports allowing new commercial leases at the RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park, 180 Johnson Street.

Judith Limson Rockwell of the city’s economic development team told the commission that the Smith and Bushel Co. application is for a small space inside the heating building — about "80 square feet" — with an expected September start, and that 1st Chance, Inc. seeks roughly "900 square feet" in the same complex for tofu manufacturing and distribution. Both presentations noted the leases are intended to support small‑scale manufacturing and local businesses.

A commissioner moved and the panel voted to approve both reports by voice vote. The motions were seconded and passed unanimously.

The approvals were procedural actions that allow city staff to finalize the reports required under G.S. 8‑24 for leases on municipally controlled enterprise‑park property. Applicant agent Christine Marks was recorded as the agent for the 1st Chance, Inc. filing; city staff handled the presentation and answered follow‑up questions from the commission. No substantive conditions were attached to the approvals during the meeting.

The commission’s action permits economic-development staff to proceed with processing the leases under routine terms of the RM Keating park program; details such as exact lease start dates, lease length and rent were not specified on the public record at the meeting and will be handled administratively.