Sudbury Historical Commission approves partial demolition at 5 Lake Shore Drive

The Sudbury Historical Commission voted to allow a partial demolition at 5 Lake Shore Drive on Jan. 20, 2026, authorizing the town Building Inspector to issue a demolition permit.

Chair Chris Hagger presented the application and said the structure — in the Willis Pond/Pine Lakes neighborhood — had been ‘‘significantly modified’’ and that the proposed addition would not affect the original portion of the house. Phillip Burke, the property owner, was present for the discussion. Hagger motioned that the application ‘‘covers a portion thereof of the structure which SHC deemed is not historically significant and authorizes the Building Inspector to issue a Demolition Permit.’’ The motion was seconded by William Andreas and recorded in the minutes as passing by a 7-0 vote.

The action was taken under the town’s Sudbury Demolition Delay Bylaw, which permits the commission to review proposed demolitions and to make recommendations or impose a delay when an affected structure is historically significant. The commission’s finding that the portion targeted for removal is not historically significant means the Building Inspector may proceed with permit issuance, subject to any other applicable town requirements.

The commission did not record further conditions on the work during the meeting. The owner may now proceed through the town permitting process; the Building Inspector holds authority to issue the formal demolition permit.