Mendon Planning Board Reorganizes, Continues Disputed Approval to June 15

Planning Board · Meeting of June 5, 2026

Mendon Planning Board continues disputed commercial approval, hears Colonial Drive subdivision concept. The board voted to continue to its June 15 meeting a question over whether a prior approval for a 27,000-square-foot commercial building was issued as a site plan review or a special permit — a distinction with direct consequences for a pending property sale, since the decision was never recorded at the registry of deeds and may have lapsed. Town Planner Dylan Lindholm will review the original meeting video and minutes before June 15 and may consult town counsel on re-notification obligations.

Separately, attorney Jeff Cannon of Gary and Holland, representing applicant Dominic Alfonso, presented a conceptual plan for a seven-lot open space subdivision off Colonial Drive, preserving 371,000 square feet — 65 percent of the site — as open land, matching the yield of a conventional layout. The board flagged a Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program review as a prerequisite before the project advances further. The board also reappointed Damon Tinio as chair, Barry Iadarola as vice chair, and Jason Krauss as its CMRPC representative.

In the full story:

• Background and stakes
• The question before the board
• Substantive content
• The deliberation
• Procedural outcome
• Implications
• The complete report — 2,221 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of June 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.