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Home My WebLink About2020-02-11 SPR WAIVER Request ** � �IMACKCOLLEGE :? ..,r;., , 13€5 Turn}�i3€e S#Feet North Andover, MA O€G45 rnerrhnac€t.edu ' c1 .fr — : January 29, 2020 Dear Planning Board Members, Merrimac€c Cal€ege is proposing to renovate the existing Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher ancd the attached mai Mena nce garage, Collegiate Chu rr-his located at the northern end of the Merrimack College carnpus in the Residence 3 (R3) zoning district of North Andover, bounded by Medina Drive to the north ant/ east, Flaherty Road to tine west, and Austin Flab to the south. The College is proposing to renovate approximately 28,648 GSF within troth floors of Collegiate Church into more modern, flexible space that continues the historic uses of the builing a€ntd furthers the educational mission of the College. The proposed bullcd[pig program of the renovation 1ncludes transforming the currently unused garden level floor into updated student activity space that will include a student lounge space with pool tables, large-screen TVs, six lames of howling, E-Sports gaming space and golf sirrrulators. The proposed design of the main level mai Mai n.5 the religious character of the space with updated finishes (lighting, flooring, etc,), rkew bathrooms a€i d storage space. It is the CcIlege's intent to coot inve ho5t'rng campus religious services while allowing for use of the space for campus everts that currently occur do other spaces on campus, such as at the Sakowich trampus Ce rite r gym nasium. The project addresses longstanding infrastructure deficiencies by improving fire protection, HVAC and electrical 5ysterns, as well a5 providing permanent handicap accessibility. in order to provide reasonable handicap accessibility, the project irchides a small addition to the campus side of Collegiate Church for a new two-story elevator/stair tower. The project also includes a new foots service venue to support the student activity spaces within the church anti for students across campus. The new cafe is proposed to bE! situated on the footprint of the existing four-hay garage attached to the church and Austin #-fall. In order to accommodate the kitchen operations envisioned for the cafe, a small add€t€or to the footprint is proposed, The renovation project also removes approxirrmately 320 GSF of the existing mafntenarce garage where it currently connects to Austin Hail, In total, the renovation project transforms approximately 26,648 GSF of space, The Project is inten-ded W friclude approximately 2,609 GSF of adtditionat area as an expansibn on the existing building, associated with the new elevator/stair tower at the side entry, and addition to the existing garage footprint which wild he replaced with a modern cafe offering. With the removal of 320 GSF of the maintenance garage footprint,the net new additional GSF of the project is 2,288 GSF. Per the North Andover zoning bylaw, Sectlon §195-3,1 LA,2, the Project is subject to review under the Site Plan Review process, as construction whick results in the ad ditior of more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area to ark existing structure. Based on the limited impacts of the Project,the CQliege respectfUlly requests consideration for a Site Plan Waiver, per the North Andover zoning bylaw, Section kt 1.) When, in the opinion of the Planning Board, the alteration or reconstruction of inn existing structure or n ew use or ch ange in use will not ho ve a significont impact both within the site an d in relytiorr to adjacent properties and streets, on pedestrian arrd vehicular traffic, pobfic services and infrastructure, environmental, unique and historic resources, abutting properties, and COMM unity needs, the Planning Board m ay determine, without a public bearing, that submission of a site playa regrew application is rgvt required_ J The applican t rnust request a waiver from site plan reviLt-w in writing and maybe required to submit supporting docurnen ration that site plan review is not required. The waiver request will be discussed at a requlor session of the Planning Board. Based on the waiver criteria, we beHeve that the project, and its 288 GSF above the threshold, does not Have a significant impact-in fact in many areas, has no impact- on the inhabitants of the Town of North Andover and provides a tremendaus benef€t to the Merrimack comrnunity, and thus qualifies for consideration at a waiver from site plan review based on the following: Impact to Site and Adjacent Properties and Streets The Pro mect leas no impact on adiace�t 0perties.a€d streets. The proposed site work associated with the Project is limited to reconf€garation of existing short segments of campus walkways to provide a handicap accessible route to the building, and a walkway connection from the kitch4 rn to the duinpster enclosure behind the proposed cafe. Pedestrian and Vehicular Traffic/Circulation The Pro'ect has no Fm act on p1destrian and vehicular traffic circulation on town roads or sidewalks.The Project does result in improved campus pedestrian experiences by replacing an existing walkway with a handicap accessible walkway frorn ex€sting campus walls into the new elevato r/sta if-tower entry.The Project does not contain any VVOrk to ex€st€rig campus roadways. Publ#c Services and Infrastructure The.Project.has..no negiAlva irnpact to public serv€ces and infrastructure. Based on initial review by Town of f orth Andover staff Technical Review Committee (TRC) held on Wednesday,January 2 2, 2020 and follow-up discussion with Department of Public Works staff, improvements to existing utility lines are proposed.The Project includes upgraded fire protect on systems, electrical lines, HVAC systems, as well as hand`€€cap accessibHity with a new elevator/stair tower. Existing ernergency vehicle access to the Project site wilt not be altered. The Project is anticipated to require a Sewer Connection Permit which will be obtained through the North Andover DepartmePt of PubIic Works (DPW) for upgrade6 water and sewer services to sopport the renovaJ[011. Environmi�ntal The Protect has no irnyact on an r�enviranmentaI resources. The Project site does riot fall within any jurisdictional wetland resource areas or associated buffer znrkes. AdditionaIly, there are no areas of critical env!ronmentaI concern (ACECs) located to the vicinity of the Project. Unique and Hiftvric Resources The froiett has no imp�ct.�r� uni��ae ar historic reso€�rces.There are no state nor local inventoried or listed historic or archaeological properties within the Prvlect's area of impact, Abutting Properties The Project includes no impact to abutting properties.The renovation project want will be entirely confined with the Merrimack College campus limits, Community Needs The Project has a significantly.positive.irnpact on the.nee.d.s of.the.ccMMunity.The Project furthers the transi'ormatton of Merrimack College and enhances the student experlence for a1I inembers of the Merdrnack comirurAy, M ode ro arrd handicap accessible,flexible religious and event space on the main level and new Iively student activity space with a supporting cafe will help to transform an underutilized church and garage into a vibrant new campus community space for all students, faculty and staff. I=or the reasons dtscrib4 cd above,the College is respectfully requesting the North Andover Planning board to consider a waiver from Site Plan Review for the project. We look forwiard to appearing before you at the February 4" Planning Roard meeting to answer any questions you may have. Should you Dave any questions or comments In the meantime, please feel free to contact the at (97 81 837-5459,or via email at schwarzf merrimack.edu, Thank you for your time and consideration. Sint re L Fell chwarz,AICP Associate Vice President,Campus Planning & facilities Entl: illustrative Site Plan