HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-08 Planning Board Minutes Town of North Andover 7. 6
PLANNING BOARD
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 (d,) 712.in., 120Myin Street Town lull-Select Board Meefing,North Andover
MA 01845
2 Present:! E. Goldberg, J. Simons,P. Boynton, A. Preston,K. Cormier, Assoc,
3 Absent: K. Bargncsi
4 Staff Present: M. Rodrigues & Select Board
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6 E. Goldberg, Chairman: 'File Planning Board meeting for Tuesday, June 8,2021 was called to order at 7 p.m.
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8 E. Goldber : (React the Governors Order into the record), This evening is considered a hybrid meeting; both
9 remote and in-person. Votes,will be recorded cis roll call this evening.
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11 Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12,2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law,
12 G.L. c. 30A,§18, and the Governors March 15,2020 Order ituposing strict limitation oil the number of people
13 that may gather in erne place, this meeting of the North Andover planning Board will be conducted both in-
14 person and via remote participation. Speeffic information and the general guidelines for remote participation
15 by ineinbers of the public andlor parties with a right andlor requireinent to attend this meeting can be found oil
16 the Town's website, at www.northandovertna.gov. For this meeting, members of thepublic who wish to watch
17 the meeting may do so on their televisions by tuning to Conicast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 26 or online at
18 iv)vjv.iioi-tliant-lovercatit.org. In person attendance of members of thepublic andBoardineinbers will be
19 permitted, and every effort will be made to ensure that the public call adequately access the proceedings ill real
20 time, via technological means. In the event that we are unable to(to so, despite best efforts, we twill post on the
21 Town ofNorth Andover website all audio or video recording,, transcript, or other comprehensive record of
22 proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting. If the public would like to participate ill public hearings, but
23 not attend the meeting in-person please email your question1connnentprior to or during the meeting to
24 The questionleonunent will be read during the proceedings and responded to
25 accordingly.
26 E. Goldberg: Roll Call: P. Boynton (remote participant), K. Cormier(remote participant), J. Simons(ill-
27 person/present), A. Preston(in-person/present),E. Goldberg(in-person/present), (K, Bargnesi absent)
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29 DISCUSSION ITEM
30 Joint meeting with Select Board: Royal Crest Estates(I &28 Royal Crest Drive),Trinity Financial,
31 Jim Keefe: Update on Proposed Master Redevelopment Plan for the property.
32 E.-Goldberg: The Board will not hear any public hearings this evening. Comments received at this inecting will be
33 addressed at the regularly scheduled July 6, 2021 Planning Board meeting, after Annual Town Meeting scheduled
34 for June 15, 2021. (K, Bargnesi recused)
35 M. Rodrigues: Over time, we have continued to hear the development is too dense,therefore after several
36 analyses, we approached the developer,recommending they cut 33 % from their non-by-right plan, keeping tile
37 40B (3 buildings, 385 units) intact, counting toward the town's housing obligation getting us to our 10%, and
38 maintaining tile 1001J beds for Merrimack College. We asked they cut from what falls within the Master Plan
39 program, reductions were made to the market-rate multi-family units, 55+age-restricted and townhomes,resulting
40 in a 20% decrease from the total prograrn,but 33%from what would come before town meeting, We created a
41 profornia is based on the tax revenue and impacts of the project. Trinity brought forward this plan which is slightly
42 different from what we proposed. Trinity's response reduces the total to 332 units(33%of the Master Plan site or
Town of North Andover
PLANNING BOARD
Tuesday, Jiyte 8, 2021 7pan., 120Main Str-eet Towti Hall-Select Boat-d Meethig, Noi-thAimlover,
MA 01845
43 20%of the entire project)which is what we had at first recommended as a starting point. Pleased with response
44 and progress being made on the project.
45 J, Keefe &M. Lozano,Trinity Financial: Presented revised program summary for Royal Crest project reflecting a
46 reduction in density for the property.,Expressed project needs to become the land value equivalent to what it has
47 been,all asset generating property for the town. The project involves demolition of 50 buildings; all requiring
48 costly abatement,$25-35 million worth of infrastructure; roadways, sidewalks, streetlights,open space, drainage
49 improvements, etc. There is a cost premium associated with hiring a preeminent architectural firm. Project
50 accomplishes many great things for the town. We are satisfying Merrimack College's needs for 1000 beds, and
51 providing safe crosswalks,providing more affordable and market-rate housing, smart growth. SitnUltaneously,the
52 state is investing$29 million in improvements along Rt. 114. Addressed slight reduction in traffic, noting all has
53 been peer reviewed and we are intent oil establishing pedestrian community. We are pleased at where we are at
54 having listened to numerous thoughtful comments and responses,
55 M. Lozano: Presented revised program summary (210607 1rograin Suninuary Revised 6 7 Comparison Version)
56 Tile three 40B buildings remain the same; all count toward the town's obligation tinder 40B (3�85 units; 289 are
57 market-ratc, 96 are affordable)dispersed throughout and indistinguishable from other units,the multi-family
58 market-rate (decreases from 608 to 439 units=reduction of 169 units; reduction of 181K sq. ft.), multifamily will
59 see a significant reduction; and reduction in overall size, 55+rental housing reduces from (135 to 35
60 units=reduction of 100 units), and townhouses reduce from (263 to 200 units=reduction of 63 units;reduction of
61 137 sq. ft.)which contributes to all increased buffer to the residential neighborhoods. Student housing stays the
62 same size; 250 units or 1,000 beds. Dormitories move away from property lines and are also reduced in height in
63 some places. Parking lot to be redesigned so that it is further away from residences. Originally,there were 1,641
64 units planned for the site as compared to 1309 units,(reduction of 332 units)resulting in a reduction of approx.
65 439K sq. ft.which translates to density. Reviewed building heights and potential reduction changes. Anticipates
66 positive impacts to traffic and school aged children totals. Will follow up with similar examples of local projects,
67 digital visual perspectives showing various view angles-along Rt. 114 and neighborhoods,plan changes and
68 landscape plans noting mature trees to be removed and replaced.Numbers of residents and school aged children
69 will be revised; parking and number of vehicles will be addressed. Board suggested a chart showing the delta
70 based on original proposal and modifications. Explained proposed improved safety implementations oil site,2
71 smart signal lights at main entrances.
72 R. Vaillancourt(S.B): Clarified that retail exists below the multi-family buildings as mixed-use, building heights
73 specifically, "E"which is 4-5 stories which will be reduced in either height or footprint.
74 M. Rodrigues,Town Manager: Willing to share various scenarios considered with Planning Board. Revised
75 number of school aged children is 206 v. 213;reduction of 7 potential students than exists today; more students in
76 the 40B, less in the market-rate, less in townhouses. We considered several different reduction scenarios; not
77 increasing tax burden on townspeople.
78 R. Sinedile(5.B): Confirmed tOW1111OLISes valued at$750K, dormitories are appr ft ox. 140 . min. from residences,
79 confirmed 5-story buildings are 65 ft. tall v. residences are 35 ft. tall, requested where other similar looking sites
80 might be located locally, inquired about number of vehicles and trips; efforts to restrict student vehicles/parking.
81 K. Cormier(P.B): Concerns for proximities of buildings and setbacks along Rt, 114;requested number of
82 residents and school aged children comparisons, net new vehicular trips based on what occurs today.
83 L.Bates(S.B): Expressed concern for safely transporting 1000 students(pedestrian and vehicles)back and forth to
84 campus across Rt, 114.Noted importance/possibility of safe,convenient overpass. Questioned the 55+housing
85 reduction, requested quantification of market-rate bedroom counts.
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Town of North Andover
PLANNING NNING BOARD
Tties(lay, Atie 8, 202L.@
MA 01845 ,.7p.in., 120Main.Street Town Hyll-SelectBoar(Weedyg, NorthAndovei-,
86 J. )PhilEtpafS.13 -d to hearing more about how community residents will be: Major concern for safety. Looks forward
87 protected and safe.
88 P. Boynton(P.B): Visuals of various view angles &perspectives of property will be helpful too]. Stressed
89 importance of keeping discussion of pedestrian bridge open. Suggested updated chart showing the delta of the
90 original plan v. proposed and how various measures change based on the proposed modifications.
91 A.Preston (P.13 J: Requested break down of 40B units. Inquired about the permitting process.
92 M. Lozano: Explained permitting process and rezoning will be via Master Plan approval at Town Meeting.
93 Provisions within the zoning overlay will require various elements to go before the Planning Board for review to
94 ensure consistency with the approved Master Plan, Material changes to the plan approved at Town Meeting would
95 require a Special Perin it or have to go back to Town Meeting. If the plan is consistent with the Master Plan
96 approved by Town meeting,you would go through a Site Plan Review for consistency and control, but we Would
97 have the ability to build it per the Master Plan.
98 J. Simons(P.R): Concern for dormitory parking lot proximity to residences on Berkley Rd., preference for Site
99 Plan Review regulatory process particularly where build out occurs over extended time(10 years); many things
100 can change from start to finish, i.e. market. Site Plan Review proxy v. rezoning.
101 E. Goldberg(Chair P.B): Site visits and visuals will be helpful.Noted various other municipalities do not have a
102 Special Permit process for Site Plan Review. Based on the Board's feedback, new plan is more in line with issues
103 of Board's concern: proximity of buildings to 114,buffers,proposed building heights and setbacks,density,
104 preserving the 40B element, May not reach far enough for everyone, but it's a step in the right direction.Visuals,
1.05 numeric mock-ups of quantity of people, fiscal impacts, development agreement,traffic and additional fiscal data
106 will prove helpful.
107 C.Nobile(Chair, S.B): Potential creation of studio and 1-bedroom apartments; clarified existing Royal Crest
108 today has only 2-3-bedroom units. The efforts put forth by all, speak to the power and importance of the ability to
109 negotiate, focus and deliver what is best for the town,
110
III ADJOURNMENT
112 MOTION: P. Boynton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by A. Preston. Meeting
113 adjourned @ 8:18 p.m. Roll Call vote: P. Boynton yes. J. Simons voted yes. A. Preston voted yes. E. Goldberg
114 voted yes. The vote was 4-0, unanimous in favor.
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116 MEETING MATERIALS: Planning Board Meeting Agenda June 8,202 Royal Crest Estates(I &28 Royal
117 Crest Drive),Trinity Financial: 210607 Program Summary Revised 6,7 Comparison Version.
118
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