Douglas Planning Board Unanimously Approves Pine, Sand, and Stone Earth Removal Permit

DOUGLAS -- March 25, 2026, Douglas Planning Board approves earth removal permit, raises concerns over 40B housing application. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to grant a three-year earth removal special permit to Pine, Sand, and Stone Incorporated for a four-acre operation on Route 146, accessed through 1 Lackadam Road, with a $56,000 bond set at $14,000 per acre. Engineer John Federico attended via Zoom and applicant Andy Leonard confirmed the bond amount; the permit runs through March 25, 2029. In a separate discussion, members raised wetland encroachment, water pressure and supply, a proposed 20-foot private road width, and a 7-to-8-percent internal grade as concerns about a Chapter 40B comprehensive permit application for 30 units at 30 Southwest Main Street, whose ZBA public hearing opens April 1; the board will prepare a formal comment letter for a subsequent meeting. Members also began reviewing over-55 housing bylaw examples from Northbridge and Wrentham, with planner John recommending an affordability component of at least 20 percent and members expressing interest in tying eligible sites to town water and sewer infrastructure.