Zoning board issues special permit for Stevens Park Road cottage repair and foundation replacement

The Town of Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals on April 7 granted a special permit allowing applicants at 48 Stevens Park Road to remove, raise and replace an existing lakefront cottage’s foundation and structure as necessary to complete work previously authorized under a variance and special permit.

Applicants said they had been granted setback relief and a special permit last September and began construction in January. During demolition they discovered the southeast corner lacked a proper foundation — "there was one block at the corner, and the framing was basically on the dirt," an applicant said — and revised plans to provide a new concrete foundation in the existing building line.

Building Commissioner Kurt Damascus told the board the extent of the unanticipated structural work exceeded what had been presented to the board and recommended a special permit to confirm relief for removal and replacement rather than treating the partial reconstruction as covered by the prior permit: "Because they exceeded the authority in the previous special permit, it puts us back before the board for confirmation of relief," he said.

A neighbor who identified himself in the record as John Dormant said he had watched the work and had no objection, telling the board he had "friendly conversation" with the applicants and did not see anything improper.

The board voted to issue a special permit authorizing removal and replacement of the structure and foundation as necessary according to the revised plans, noting the action is in addition to the variance and special permit recorded on September 3, 2025. The chair reminded applicants of the 20‑day appeal period before the decision is final.

What’s next: Applicants may proceed with the approved work after the 20‑day appeal period and must comply with any conservation commission and building‑code requirements the commission and building inspector identified.