HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of Decision (Insubstantial Change) - - i F
r Torn of North Andover
>;: .:r ....: office of the Planning Department
Community Development Division
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120 Main Street k
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
NOTICE OF DECISION(Insubstantial Change)
Date of Decision: September=�,"J, 2025
Petition of: Town of North Andover . ,
120 Main Street _Y
North Andover,MA 01845
Site Affected; 495 Main Street
North Andover,MA 01845
Assessor's Map 45.B Lot 30, Map 44 Lot 42 and Map 57 Lot 22
BACKGROUND
On April 2, 2019, the Planning Board approved a Site Plan Review Special Permit to allow for the
renovation/reconstruction of the Site by constructing one(1) softball field, one(1) 90' baseball field, two (2)
multipurpose fields,two(2)bocce courts,two (2)shuffle ball courts,two(2)half-court basketball courts,and
two(2)children's playgrounds,two(2)multipurpose courts,two(2)picnic areas,an amphitheater,a concession
stand, storage buildings, bathroom facilities, 160 additional parking spaces, and associated paved
walkways/emergency/maintenance paths, and stormwater management systems, and other amenities as
referenced in the Plans, The Property is located in the Residential 4 (R4)Zoning District.
On August 25,2025 the Petitioner submitted a request for Insubstantial Change to address design updates
to address a reduction of scope in the project, as the project will be built in phases according to the
Phasing Plan referenced below. The current project is for Phase 1,which is the western side of the
project.
The project proposes a revision to the area along the western boundary of the Recreation Complex
property.
FINDINGS OF FACTS
0 The location of the softball field and walkway are the same as in the previously permitted plans.
® The fence at this western boundary is proposed to be removed and replaced along the existing
fenceline, instead of being installed at the property line that is shown on the survey Plan of Land by
Christiansen& Sergi, dated November 23,2018 (Rev 21512019).
0 The landscaping along the fenceline has been revised to fit the narrower space between the fenceline
and the wall{moray. Instead of deciduous trees along the fenceline, a.mix of evergreen arborvitae trees
(mature height of 20' tall)and deciduous and evergreen shrubs (mature height of 6-8' tall)will be
planted for screening where space allows. The revised plantings will all be native species.
0 A.poured in place concrete gall is proposed between the walkway and the fenceline,to make up the
grades between the fields (whose elevation has not changed) and the abutting properties. This wall
has a maximum height of 2'.
t
7.
Insubstantial Change
495 Main Street -ReePiex
September 2, 2025
Assessor's Map 45.B Lot 30, Map 44 Lot 42 and Map 57 Lot 22
Page 2 of 2
* The locations of the catch basins along the fenceline have been revised to match the runoff patterns of
the new grading and capture stormwater runoff before it reaches the abutting property.
* The walkway lighting has been revised from the previously permitted plans. Instead of pole lighting,
3.5' high, bollard lighting is proposed along the perimeter walkway. The bollard lights will utilize
❑ptics that distribute the light along the length of the walkway and not across the fenceline. The
change in walkway lighting significantly reduces light spill across the property line.
* The sports lighting is unchanged, except the light pole at the right field corner of the softball field has
been shifted away from the property line approximately 15'. The amount of light across the property
line is approximately the same as in the permitted plans.
® An additional scoreboard is proposed to be added for the Multipurpose Field section of the proposed
Phase 1 field. (The Multipurpose Field is the rectangular section of the field east of the softball
diamond,which is shown in the plans with soccer lines.) The Multipurpose Field was originally
designed to be for practice use,with the Phase 2 field designed to be for game use. However, because
only Phase 1 is being constructed at this time,the Multipurpose Field is expected to receive increase
game use, and a scoreboard for this field will increase its functionality for games. The scoreboard
would face away from the western property line and the top would be approxii-nately 15' above the
ground.
* The stormwater drainage structures were modified to work with the phased construction and with the
revised area at the western boundary. The Phase 1 drainage structures, instead of connecting to the
Phase 2 drain structures,now connect to the existing drainage system. The rest of the drainage design
is the same as the previously permitted plans and continues to meet stormwater regulations as
described in the Storm.water Report referenced below.
* The proposed stormwater design revisions have been reviewed by the Town's stormwater peer review
consultant,Janet Bernardo,P.F. Horsley Witten Group,Inc. (See letters dated August d,2025 and
.August 22,2025, and email correspondence dated August 25, 2025 and response letters dated August
19)2025 and August 25, 2025 from The Waterfield Design Group).
* After discussion and amendment to the draft Notice of Decision at the September 2, 2025 Planning
Board meeting, and upon a motion by S. Kevlahan to deem the plan changes as Insubstantial Changes
for 495 Main Street.P. Boynton seconded the motion. The vote was 3--0,unanimous in favor. The
finding of Insubstantial Change is conditioned on the following:
CONDITIONS
* The Petitioner shall comply with all existing conditions rendered in the Special Permits for the site.
* This Notice of Decision shall be recorded with the Northern Essex Registry of Deeds and evidence of
recording shall be provided to the Planning Department.
* The following information shall be deemed part of the decision:
Plans Titled: Recreation Complex Phase 1
Insubstantial Change
495 Main Street--ReePlex
September 2, 2025
Assessor's Map 45.B Lot 30, Map 44 Lot 42 and Map 57 Lot 22
Page 3 of 3
Prepared By: Waterfield Design Group
39 Cross Street
Winchester,MA 01890
Sheets: G--1, G-2, EC--1, EC--2, SP--1, SP-2,LM-1, LM-2,DU-0,DU--1,
DU-2,DU-3, GR-I,LS--1,Details D-1 through D--10
Scale: 1"=3 0 y
Date: August 19,2025
Plan Titled: Site Plan--Phasing
Prepared By: Waterfield Design Group
Sheet: I of I
Date: May 22,2025
Plan Titled: Proposed Construction Site Access
Sheet: 1 of I
Dated: May 28,2025
Plan Titled: North Andover Recreation Complex
Prepared By: Musco Lighting
Sheets: 14 pages
Dated: April 2,2025
Plan Titled: Photometric Plan Combined Spoils Field&Walkway Lighting
Prepared By: Waterfield Design Group
Sheets: L-1,L--2,L--3
Date: June 5,2025
Deport: Storm water Management Plan
Recreation Complex—Phase I
Prepared By: Waterfield Design Group
Date: May 2025
Je Enright, Pla ing Director
On Behalf of the North Andover Planning Board
Eitan Goldberg
Peter Boynton
Sean Kevlahan