Submit an Application to the Design Review and Preservation Board

Middletown's Design Review and Preservation Board was set up by Ordinance, section 26-10 in 1998, to act in an advisory capacity to the Planning and Zoning Committee. The board reviews all exterior rehabilitation or new construction in business zones, including signage, and advises the Planning and Zoning Commission and Redevelopment Agency regarding their appropriateness.

The board's goal is not to get in the way of improving Middletown, but rather preserve and promote the character and heritage of our neighborhoods and business areas.

The Board meets monthly on the second Wednesdays and, periodically adjusts meetings according to need. The agenda is available the Friday prior to each meeting.

The Board also receives nominations and selects appropriate designs to bestow the annual Design and Preservation Awards.

If you are going to undertake a new construction, rehabilitation, and/or signage project in any of the areas below, you will need to present you project before the Design Review and Preservation Board. It is advisable that you call or stop by the Department of Planning, Conservation, and Development to have a pre-application discussion. This will assure that you can present you project in the best and most informative manner.

Be sure to take a look to see if your property or project is eligible for Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives.

Areas Subject to Review The Board reviews of the following projects:

• All signage projects within the City
• All Historic Properties listed in the following sources (Historic Properties List):
  • Middletown's Historic Resource Inventory
  • The National Register of Historic Places
  • The State Register of Historic Places
  • The Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites
• All Projects in the following areas (map):
  • Broad Street Historic District (list of properties)
  • Downtown Village District (list of properties)
  • Highlands National Historic District (list of properties)
  • Main Street Historic District (list of properties)
  • Metro South Historic District (list of properties)
  • South Green Historic District (list of properties)
  • Wadsworth Estate Historic District (list of properties)
  • Washington Street Historic District (list of properties)
  • Wilcox Crittenden Mill Historic District (list of properties)
  • Downtown Middletown
  • Washington Street/Route 66 Corridor
  • Newfield Street/Route 3 Corridor
  • South Main Street/Route 17 Corridor
  • Saybrook Road/Route 154 Corridor
  • Waterfront Development Area

• Design Guidelines
• Sign Regulations- Section 48 of the Middletown Zoning Code
• Downtown Village District- Section 39D of the Middletown Zoning Code
• Downtown Village District- Connecticut State Statute
• The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving. Rehabilitating, Restoring, & Reconstructing Historic Buildings
• Middletown's Historic Properties List
• Overview of Architectural Styles in Middletown

City of Middletown Website