Charlton Planning Board Approves Conditional Temporary Occupancy for Boston Outdoor Living

CHARLTON -- March 4, 2026, Charlton Planning Board unanimously approved conditional temporary occupancy sign-off for Boston Outdoor Living and selected VHB to lead the town's master plan update at its March 4 meeting. The board authorized the building commissioner to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for the long-delayed commercial project, first permitted in 2015, contingent on submission of a $750,000 performance bond, a status report at the May 20 meeting, and completion of all remaining site work, including final paving, curbing, a dumpster pad, and landscaping, by June 17. The building commissioner cautioned that "there's nothing more permanent than a temporary occupancy," citing a prior subdivision case in which the board was forced to break a bond after repeated unfulfilled promises. On the master plan, the board voted unanimously for VHB over finalists Barrett and CMRPC, with members citing VHB's prior work in Charlton as decisive. The board also agreed to submit six zoning bylaw warrant article placeholders to the town administrator by March 5 for Annual Town Meeting on May 18, covering multiple uses on single parcels, a revised major residential development threshold, street definition language, reduced-frontage lot setbacks, a use-table overhaul, and tightened energy systems surety bond and decommissioning requirements.