Planning Board OKs Tree Removal Before Permit

Planning Board · Meeting of September 10, 2026

Milton Planning Board approved letting a Highland Street memory care developer clear trees and demolish buildings before securing a final building permit. The board voted unanimously to amend Northbridge Communities Inc.'s special permit so a "demolition permit" or the building permit triggers site access ahead of a November 15 deadline to open the street for utility work. Attorney Edward Corcoran said the company has paid $24,000 toward a third-party building permit review against a fee expected to top $200,000.

Member Margaret Oldfield pushed for phased removal of the roughly 300 trees slated for clearing, warning of a Randolph site that "looked like a war zone," while member Sean Fahy argued against restricting the timeline. Neighbor Teresa O'Brien, of 42 Spafford Road, said she got about a week's notice of site activity. The board also unanimously approved two accessory dwelling unit applications, at 531 Brook Road and 136 Indian Spring Road.

In the full story:

• Administrative Business and Staff Updates
• Public Comment
• Special Permit Minor Modification: 107-111 Highland Street Memory Care Facility
• ADU Site Plan Review: 531 Brook Road
• ADU Site Plan Review: 136 Indian Spring Road
• Economic Development Plan Scope of Work
• East Milton Fire Station Reuse Proposals
• Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,595 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 10, 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.