Zoning board splits 3-1 on Pilates studio permit

Zoning Board · Meeting of October 22, 2026

Middleton's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit for a Pilates studio despite unresolved building code and septic violations, splitting 3-1. Nina Pop, founder of Pop Method LLC, sought approval for a two-room studio at 251 South Main Street; staff said the property's septic repairs were incomplete and that "Doug and I have been chasing this property for" years on code violations, and the town's health agent had not cleared occupancy. A board member identified only as Anthony voted no both on the findings and the permit itself.

The board separately approved, without dissent, a special permit for SDM Dance LLC, run by Sal D. Martinez and Janine D. Martinez, to open a roughly 3,970-square-foot dance academy at 237 South Main Street. It also unanimously granted a porch-enclosure permit at 184 Essex Street and voted to continue a larger redevelopment hearing for 319 North Main Street and 11 Rockaway Road to November 19, 2026, after one member recused.

In the full story:

• Porch enclosure at 184 Essex Street
• 35 Village Road: not discussed
• 251 South Main Street: Pop Method Pilates studio
• 237 South Main Street: dance academy
• 319 North Main Street and 11 Rockaway Road: continued
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,961 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of October 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.