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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - 575 OSGOOD STREET 8/24/2007 ��������������� EDGEW@W 575 Osgood Street RECEIVED North Andover, Massachusetts OI845-19]5 AUG � � �0M� "`=" � v �v�, NUx.�-imxUDVER PLANNING DEPARTMENT August 24` 2OO7 []ear members of the North Andover Zoning Board of Appeals, North Andover Planning Board, and the North Andover Conservation Commission: We are writing to you today to request once again your support for our Edgewood strategic plan. Almost 30 years ago the Town of North Andover played a critical role in creating the Edgaxvood Retirement CommVDity, which has been providing Life Care to senior residents for the last ten years. Since 1997. Edgevvood has served over 100 residents from the North Andover co0munitv, with the average age of those residents being 83 years old. Three years aQV. the Board of Trustees began a comprehensive review of all aspects of life atEdgexvood. This included areview ofboth how xvecould enhance the lives ofour current nseidents, and how vve could meet the changing needs of the senior housing community for prospective residents. Todoy. EdgevvoVd is almost o|vxoya fully occupied due to axvoiUng list of 15 seniona, many ofwhom are determined to find o place that will � enable them to continue to live in North Andover. In addition to our waiting list, � EdQevvood constantly receives critical new applications from seniors who have an immediate need for health care services. VVhi|a its chief mission is to provide quality housing and e compassionate, supportive long term continuum of care, Edgexvood is also deeply committed to preserving the � quality of the community's rural setting, o setting that in an integral pert of the residents' � life at Edgevvood. The proposed plan that has been submitted to the -[oxvn boards represents a mix of housing types that meets the needs of the current and future residents ofEdgexvood; preserves the existing the agricultural born structures that can � besaved; and maintains the open space balance ofthe original design ofthe Edgewood � community. Once again, we are asking the Town of North Andover to help Edgewood achieve these � mutually beneficial goals. We are very dedicated to making a difference in the |ixoo of seniors by providing a high quality of |ife, while preserving the very nature of the physical setting of EdQevvood. With the advice and consent of your Boardo. EdQevvood will be well able to continue serving the general community of North Andover by serving Edgovvuod'oelder community inthis wonderful neighborhood. Sincerely, ~ Marlene Rotering Executive Director �£�� 1��� Edgewood Retirement Community oaHEALTHm2nmATmDGEMM Tel. 978-725-3300 = Fax 978-725-5997 ��'Tou,..,!;� Tel. 978-725-4100 - Fax 978-687-1338 Community Im pact Edgewood Retirement Community Strategic Plan Expansion I. Project Scope: Expansion Components include an additional 27 independent dwelling units to the existing 219 congregate housing units (apartments). As well as, the Expansion to . existing facility to add a Cognitive linpaired Unit, increase the Social Day Program, increase their Wellness Center, increase their Physical Therapy, relocate the Employee Lounge, and add an alternative bistro style dining facility. II. Definition: - Per Article 8.3.5xxiii, a community impact analysis should review the following items: 1. Impact of project on surrounding neighborhood in terms of Architectural consistency 2. Pedestrian movement 3. Overall Character 4. Impacts on nearby historical structures or sites 5. Evaluation of the projects consistency and compatibility with existing local and regional'plans. III. Community Impact Analysis Background Edgewood Retirement Community, a non-profit organization located on 575 Osgood Street and operational since 1995, currently consists of 219 congregate dwelling units (apartments) with a 45 bed Nursing Care Facility and a Commons building with such supportive services as a Wellness Center, Physical Therapy,_ Social Day Program, recreational, and dining facilities. The project as was approved in 1995 was for the development of up 250 congregate dwelling units with a 45 bed Nursing Care Facility and a Commons building with the associated supportive services. After 12 years of operating,and servicing residents from the greater community of North Andover, Edgewood continues to fulfill their mission of providing elderly residents of North Andover and the local area with an alternative life style that enhances their quality of life while aging in place. The Strategic Plan being proposed will help Edgewood fulfill their mission well into the future, and continue to provide the alternative living experience to the residents of North Andover which is close to home and their families. Section 13.2 indicates that a "Continuing Care Retirement Community is intended to allow for a greater mixture of buildings, structures and uses with regard to density than is otherwise permitted thereby allowing for the nursing care of the elderly and relief of the physical, econoinic, and emotional stress associated with the maintenance and care of traditional nursing home and residential prop ei-ties.'.' . µ The proposed design that is being presented to the Town of North Andover includes the active involvement of the Residents of Edgewood who are passionate about the agricultural setting that Edgewood is fortunate to be surrounded by. Impact of Pro.L To ensure that the development of the 19 acres that were acquired from Samuel Rogers in 2002, Edgewood has engaged an Architectural Design Team who specializes in designs that respect and enhance the agricultural setting that the land abuts. The Architect selected is Dewing & Schmid Architects out of Concord, MA and the Landscape Architect Stephen Stimson Associates out of Falmouth, MA. Their approach to the design proposed was to provide a shaker style cottage village. The site layout of the cottages was set up in a way to keep all new structures orthogonal to the existing barns. This is a characteristic that is consistent with historical villages in agricultural settings. Pathways have been incorporated to enable the Residents to walk throughout the property. Pedestrian Movement This development will not interfere with any public pedestrian movement. In fact, the site improvements will provide a safer surface for any pedestrians who may want access to Half Mile Hill. Overall Character The Landscaping proposed for the areas surrounding the cottages also embraces the agricultural values. The Landscape Architect has proposed a design that will restore the landscape to be consistent with its original landscape. Photos from the Historical Society and review of the trees and plants on site have influenced the layout of tree plantings and types of plantings that are proposed for this project the proposed development of the cottages in Areas Hand G will maintain an agricultural and historic character to ensure it blends into the existing landscape. The landscape plan also enhances the existing wetland buffer zones and provides restoration. For cottages in Area A, which are adjacent to an existing apartment building, the exterior character of the cottages will match the exterior finish treatments of the apartment buildings. The expansion of the existing commons building will also match the existing for architectural consistency. The height and scale of the cottages (27 feet high) is consistent with a residential character building. The design of the cottages is intended to align with the style and proportions of the barns (roof pitch, siding material,window types). Impact on Nearby Historical Structure As part of this proposed project, Edgewood will restore three major barns including the Horse Barn, the Maintenance Barn, and the Dairy Barn. These barns are truly treasured by the Residents of Edgewood and the restoration of these banns will only enhance the agricultural and historical setting that they are looking to maintain with the development of the cottages. Evaluation Edgewood is pleased to be able to contribute to North Andover's mission to conserve the land adjacent to their property and has made every effort to ensure that the proposed development will compliment the conservation land and preserve the rural setting because that setting is an integral part of the residents' life at Edgewood. The plan that we have submitted represents a housing type that meets the needs of the current and future residents of Edgewood; preserves the existing agricultural barn structures; and maintains the open space balance of the original design of the community and is consistent with the intent of Section 13.2 of the Zoning By-law. Edgewood's residents take pride in knowing that their community provides the elderly residents of North Andover an alternative style of living that will enable them to maintain their independence and dignity while aging in place. I . DEVINE MILLIMET RECEIVED ATTORNEYS AT LAW OCT 112007 ROBERT W.LAVOIE NOv,a ri ANDOVER October 11,2007 978.475.9100 G RLAVOIE@DEVINEMILLIMET,COM LANN!INDEPPJ;ffMFJ4T Town of North Andover Planning Board 1600 Osgood Street North Andover, MA 01845 Re: Edgewood Retirement Community Pending Special Permit Applications Request Relative to October 10,2007 Public Hearing To The Planning Board: This will confirm the request on behalf of Edgewood Retirement Community that the Planning Board allow us to make a brief(approximately 15 minutes for presentation, and 5-10 minutes for questions and answers)relative to the Project. Basically, in view of the Zoning Board of Appeals`denial of the Requested Variances, it became necessary to re-design Areas A and G to make each of those Areas conforming with the 100 foot Perimeter Setback under Section 13 of the Zoning Bylaws describing requirements for Continuing Care Retirement Communities("CCRC"). "1 I. We are today filing with the ZBA for a Special Permit and/or Findings under Bylaw Section 9.1 to allow the alternations/rehabilitation of the Milk Barn, a pre-existing non-conforming structure. Once the two land areas are consolidated(by means of the ANR Plan)following Planning Board action on our pending Applications,the Milk Barn(located for approximately 100 years at 42 feet from the Perimeter Setback of its existing lot)will not meet the 100 Perimeter Setback. This will result in a building which Edgewood Retirement, as part of its CCRC,will need to alter/rehabilitate. In summary, Edgewood Retirement Community would respectfully request that the Planning Board allow us a brief opportunity to update the Planning Board as to the Status of the Project,and the ZBA filing which will be accomplished,today. Should you have any questions or require any further information,please do not hesitate to contact me. Very ly yours, Robert W. voie RW, ,L:tlm (14327\65499\A0146856.1} 'DEVINE, MILLtMET 300 BRICKSTONE SQUARE T 978.475,9100 MANCHESTER, NH & BRANCH PO BOX 39 F 978.470.0618 ANDOVER, MA PROFESSIONAL ANDOVER DEVINEMILLIMET.COM CONCORD, NH NORTH HAMPTON, NH ASSOCIATION MASSACHUSETTS 01810