Downtown Zoning Study (2022-2023)

Strategy two (2), cited in the Land Use section of the Town's Master Plan states "Create a new base zoning district for Downtown North Andover that is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan and encourages and incentivizes reinvestment (page 34)."  The document goes on to say the following with respect to zoning for the downtown:

  • Replace and expand the existing Downtown Overlay District and the General Business District with a new base zoning district. Include additional redevelopment sites along Sutton Street from I-495 to High Street to create a gateway into North Andover.
  • Allow uses that add flexibility and desirability for buildings downtown which could include uses such as co-work space, breweries/distilleries, food trucks, or creative maker space.
  • Continue to allow building heights up to 45 feet as stated in the current General Business District.
  • Consider setting a minimum and maximum front setback for buildings along Main Street that provides space for improved landscaping, pedestrian gathering spaces, benches, wider sidewalks, and other public amenities.
In fall of 2021 the Town was awarded a grant from the Housing Choice Community Grant Program that was used to fund the work of a consultant (Innes Associates) that guided a public process to develop new base zoning for downtown North Andover. Language for the zoning was drafted in 2022 and 2023, in preparation for 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
 
Click here or the image below (which shows the current boundaries of the proposed downtown zoning sub-districts) to view a story map that will take you through the different iterations of the zoning map and explain how the proposed rezoning can affect certain characteristics of the downtown.
 
Downtown Zoning Story Map
 
 
Community Outreach / Public Input (reverse chronological order):

 

Survey:  In spring of 2023, the Town issued a survey to gauge public sentiment about potential changes to zoning in the downtown area.  Click here to review the results of that survey.  A summary of results:

Public Meeting #3: On April 12, 2023, the Town held a third public meeting, in-person at the North Andover Senior Center.  Click the video below to view a video recording of the meeting.
  • Click here to view a set of boards shown to meeting participants;
  • Click here to view the slide deck presented at the meeting;

 
Public Meeting #2: On September 27, 2022, the Town held a second public meeting, this time in-person at the North Andover Senior Center, where the Town's consultant presented a slide deck summarizing the project and soliciting further feedback from those in attendance about preferences for the size of the area to be rezoned, the various sub-districts presented, as well as uses and dimensional controls.  Click here to access the slide deck presented at that meeting.
 

On September 20, 2022, the Town's consultant presented to the Planning Board, providing a summary of public input received to date, a use analysis, a dimensional analysis, precedents, and recommendations.  Click here to view the material that was presented.

Public Meeting #1: On May 11, 2022, a remote public meeting was held on this topic to solicit feedback regarding how the downtown should/can be zoned in the future. The consultant introduced the project, tested preferences for zoning dimensions and design, and invited public comment. Click here or the video directly below to view a full recording of that meeting.  Click here to view a chat log from the meeting.

Questions?  Please contact Planning Director Jean Enright: 978-688-9533 or jenright@northandoverma.gov