Denmark Planning Board grants shoreland foundation permit at 267 Mountain Road with erosion-control condition

The Denmark Planning Board voted March 26, 2026, to grant a Shoreland District Foundation permit for a relocated structure at 267 Mountain Road after finding the application met the town zoning standards, the board said.

At a public hearing, the board read the application record for applicant George Happen of 548 Stow Road, Marlborough, Massachusetts, and confirmed the application had been reviewed and found complete on Feb. 26, 2026. The board noted the site inspection date of Aug. 15, 2025, and that the board’s review was limited to the house/structure and not to the entire site plan or driveway, which will be handled through the applicable department, staff said.

In reviewing shoreland and shoreland-foundation criteria — including protection of aquatic habitat, floodplain compliance, stormwater management and preservation of existing vegetation — members verbally indicated each standard was “satisfied” or “satisfied with conditions.” Lindsay (staff member) told the board an erosion-control plan must be submitted with the subsequent building permit application and that a permit would not be issued until the plan met the requirements.

The board’s formal finding, read into the record, concluded the applicant had satisfactorily demonstrated the application met the applicable standards and therefore the Planning Board granted the Shoreland District Foundation permit with the stated conditions. The board noted the applicant generally has one year to apply for the building permit; if the required erosion-control plan is not included with the application, the building permit will not be issued.

Transcript indicates the board indicated approval by voice (members responding “Aye”), but individual votes, a mover and a seconder were not recorded in the transcript. The board’s decision was recorded in the written findings and the signed maps included with the record.

The board’s action referenced the town’s zoning ordinance and shoreland provisions; the hearing record did not list any public opponents or witnesses as having submitted testimony opposing the application.