[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6312221,"mediaKeyId","2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d","parentId",2391395,"title","Danvers planning board previews housing production plan, public questions focus on new ADU state law","audioSeconds",2016,"startMs",1776000,"endMs",3792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d&start=1776&end=3792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d/thumbnail_1776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312221/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Danvers-planning-board-previews-housing-production-plan-public-questions-focus-on-new-ADU-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312221-f7b1ff0abecb88ac3826eb12a94b73a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191856&Signature=FAOJEvXZgiTk3IuflZ9RTIGY~h2bn~BERI77qHwzamRFXIW5xV0goko9a4wYSVmPc7lV6aj98aZLsjzuEFo2jTepJ49gXr13nefWGkfyHpVnDXzCUYqr4Aotmq-hmMv2gYXyivP3SfVVyW6nSzv8wOeLs8ebHIDVbfun8KZNMN6zU3JhWnF0cHZTf9j84a-YznlpcylvuMtXMd-t3XGBKePYrCyAF7-txlTCpkDaZEoc11P59NOnY6odfVx1OS~1ZBe-sQXviZh5Mkx~YrE5QBiW81pyyy2iTqsuukDVmFPQN~IPflUJwdq5vx8UL5dui3IxCd4P8OJZ9idsXnzbbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Danvers, MA","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Members of the Town of Danvers Planning Board and several residents spent a substantial portion of the Feb. 25 meeting discussing the town’s draft housing production plan and how a newly passed state accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law will affect local policy.

Town staff said the housing production plan (latest draft dated Dec. 17, 2024) is posted on the town website and likely will be discussed at the March 11 Planning Board meeting, with a subsequent meeting to consider a vote. Planning staff asked board members to review the draft and submit comments in advance.

Residents and board members raised repeated questions about how the ADU law interacts with Danvers’ existing extended-family living arrangements (referred to in town materials as EFLAs), how ADUs will be counted toward housing targets, and how the town will track and inspect internal or detached units. Several speakers expressed concern about the potential for increased household counts, traffic, parking, and school impacts if many homeowners create ADUs.

Town staff summarized aspects of the state law as they understood them in the meeting: ADUs are allowed as a matter of right in single‑family residential districts (R1, R2, R3) when no more than 900 square feet (or half the gross floor area, whichever is smaller) and when dimensional requirements are met; municipalities may adopt regulations addressing site plan review, septic (Title 5), and dimensional standards but may not restrict ADUs where the state law applies. Staff also said the town is drafting local regulations and expects to coordinate with Town Counsel and the Board of Health on implementation and inspection protocols.

Public commenters included Jim Moroz, Lauren Steves, Lois Mackenzie and John Bouchard, who asked about title-restricted properties, whether ADUs require separate utilities, whether ADUs would be counted on the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), and how the town would discover conversions that do not trigger a building permit. Staff and board members acknowledged the state law sets a baseline and that local regulations and a public process will be needed to reconcile existing EFLA rules and to establish inspection and permitting procedures.

Why it matters: Danvers faces a state requirement and a local housing goal; how ADUs and other recommendations in the housing production plan are counted and regulated could affect the town’s strategy for meeting affordable‑housing benchmarks and for preserving neighborhood character.

Next steps: The planning office will circulate the housing production plan packet and expect to discuss it at the March 11 meeting. Staff said they will coordinate with Town Counsel and present options for local regulations and potential zoning amendments if the board wishes to pursue them.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Danvers: Planning Board Meeting: 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Planning Board discussed the town's draft housing production plan and a recently passed state ADU law; residents raised questions about counting units toward the town’s affordable-housing goals, title restrictions, utilities, and inspections.","taxTitle","Town of Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",56467,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312225,"Chick‑fil‑A site plan review for 50 Independence Way continued to March 11",138,1470000,1608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d&start=1470&end=1608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d/thumbnail_1470000.jpg","/articles/6312225/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/ChickfilA-site-plan-review-for-50-Independence-Way-continued-to-March-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312225-fb3f95b8e5360268016f859b3e6a5913/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191856&Signature=Pf1H49JXO5KQTvGzol20o1hYunzYaS4TuGJzAchYT5laZC-uRQ~EFzrGd2qhEWJNL7JFNoKdD--We3RROke3MdATWN0zE7Gv8kTHMCBge1DhuCz3syNvl7qH7-y2kc6IbXRdi~QHWtQWQOfmxQX~Gn7Mf852vPw948QmulOrrpj89EgiJVxLZmqyzneriSa1VWnaIDLyrUUsVBiIODjTGWiErd34C8kdgU-7PGkV~j3ISy~A7~2ogFB4VNJVK0AbYjEe5n5nEdyD9Zj53wnCtavICrJF-QlFMku9YKQJ2d4TqpDu6voXBs4ByrD-UCpE0yRbZfIFhYo7AE7FsX10rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board continued a public hearing on a site‑plan review application from Chick‑fil‑A for 50 Independence Way to the board’s March 11 meeting at the applicant’s request.

The application proposes demolition of the existing Friendly Toast building in the Liberty Tree Mall area and construction of a standalone restaurant with drive‑through facilities; staff said the project design includes two drive‑through lanes plus a third lane devoted to mobile orders. The use is allowed in the C3 zoning district as a restaurant with a drive‑through, but the new building requires planning-board site‑plan review.

Town staff reported the applicant asked for additional time to finalize the plan; Jean Hartnett moved to continue the public hearing to March 11, 2025. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The proposal will alter the Liberty Tree Mall parcel’s building and circulation. When the applicant returns, the board will review site details, traffic circulation, and any engineering comments as part of the site‑plan review process under Section 4 of the Danvers Zoning Bylaw.","A public hearing on a Chick‑fil‑A drive‑through restaurant proposed for 50 Independence Way (Liberty Tree Mall area) was continued to March 11 at the applicant’s request while the development team finalizes plans.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312229,"Trask Lane partial release application continued to March 25, planning board hears peer-review update",195,1207000,1402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d&start=1207&end=1402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d/thumbnail_1207000.jpg","/articles/6312229/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Trask-Lane-partial-release-application-continued-to-March-25-planning-board-hears-peer-review-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312229-1d4f62d3e82145a5b13dd0ac8c7d8e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191856&Signature=Py50zSv9QwV~Bys5PnNjTyva-OmIE6rVIiJif9vZoGX7NjzUIBOKqa9Q0F-W22RCZbS4p67Ze2DNTW2bj5GXWcM20NfZJLUyvkdVZTdlNg05Q~EecbfQat2e-rRxvpTjnS0JGTuIpELTDyo5KUDRBmwXkbfXOi~dMXqXWG1e~l2-L-SqUYtVcxegx7k-38JIGPdMelCY6YAVLPfCugrPUS98J3Rn1GaGhF6DBEJ50GvUI9oBaeThENOy4CYFjQ9WUlrJpPItek7HFq0Rkx4J8KsUUCdbPPdza~uuIenC0qVqXhHYV~UsHY9NmyeCSzYl8gnAm7KNPrQhy0vnQ~VaYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board continued a request for a partial release of a covenant affecting Trask Lane to its March 25 meeting, the board agreed Feb. 25.

Town staff said the applicant asked for a continuance; the planning office also reported it had received a peer review from consultant Howard Stein Hudson (third‑party reviewer) that addresses engineering and traffic considerations. Staff expects the development team to respond to the peer-review memo in the coming weeks; the board indicated the peer-review memo and the developer’s response will be discussed at the March 25 meeting and that Town Counsel will be invited to attend.

Chair Louis George asked for a motion to continue the application; Jean Hartnett moved to continue the Trask Lane partial release of covenant application to the March 25, 2025 meeting; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The covenant dates to Aug. 28, 1972, and the proposed partial release relates to access and development approvals tied to historic subdivision conditions. The peer-review process and any legal review by Town Counsel will inform the board’s later decision.","The Planning Board continued the Trask Lane partial release of covenant application to the March 25 meeting after staff said a third‑party peer review and traffic memo will yield developer responses before further discussion.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312234,"Planning Board approves reduction of Beaver Brook Woods performance guarantee to $17,600",315,883000,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d&start=883&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d/thumbnail_883000.jpg","/articles/6312234/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-approves-reduction-of-Beaver-Brook-Woods-performance-guarantee-to-17600","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312234-089eb675c00200d0a47ff0f74d0d8565/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191856&Signature=iHLXkAjT-KKtNLbipj9Z-S-Sydy6tvaRql7NjRw6-g-5acZjDMZlOj07VoiPJFTOYfQS74Tsb0vbN1g2QRN8zIOHEZE0EUu7zV6QiFCxEPmxIWbwQqVbyfFn2E1tui6Hn6znszgGo-nZ4g728jW9i92Rd9n8MLxipKV~2SzNSU5UyHenx66eT7JCgfI7TNZncBzhY9WQqnDNeVw-Yd3UUHAK8IKjinVorHiSLYKLGM8geX9L5nujLZgj4HNneTxLqsB1MncWUur-d5HHa~Uk2t1InluyHdm0ffkJazbi-kIFRsxUIHi8s8YixkEpnl3Qz1yDRxW7aLzwwVvuqZN2bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Danvers Planning Board voted Feb. 25 to approve the seventh modification of the tripartite agreement for the Beaver Brook Woods definitive subdivision and to reduce the remaining performance guarantee to $17,600.

At the meeting, John Collin Toney representing Beaver Brook Woods told the board the developer agreed with the Engineering Division’s recommendation to reduce the held security from approximately $240,932.85 to $17,600 and asked for time to finish remaining items delayed by frost. The board’s approved modification extends the developer’s completion deadline from Nov. 30, 2024, to April 15, 2025, and reduces the balance held under the agreement to secure the listed incomplete work.

Town staff confirmed the engineering division documented a short list of remaining minor items in a memorandum dated Feb. 21, 2025, and said the amount reduction reflected work already completed and the items the engineering division considered outstanding. After a motion and second the board voted in favor; the second was recorded in the minutes as by “Mike Tacoulas.”

Why it matters: The reduction both reduces the lender/developer escrow obligation and leaves a smaller town-held security to guarantee completion; the extended completion date gives the developer time to finish surface work dependent on thawing conditions.

The board recorded the action as the seventh modification to the tripartite agreement dated Dec. 8, 2020, among Beaverbrook Woods LLC, Bank Gloucester, and the Town of Danvers Planning Board.","Beaver Brook Woods LLC obtained approval Feb. 25 to reduce the tripartite performance security from roughly $240,933 to $17,600 and received an extension to complete remaining work by April 15, 2025.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312239,"Danvers Planning Board releases $591,975 performance guarantee for Chatham Estates subdivision",401,461000,862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d&start=461&end=862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391395-fe565644f9bdf5d9f05e1b9f5a18e44d/thumbnail_461000.jpg","/articles/6312239/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Danvers-Planning-Board-releases-591975-performance-guarantee-for-Chatham-Estates-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312239-341c6188912b5ef5801f20fc5f551fae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191856&Signature=OtjY2~M~OFXbPHrWHmFHhOtTuVbf0L5KOdtxIwejS5rwQhpIJm1r95yd-Q6Ba6CnuHiC0mePgQbXN0jQ~0Xh9BTzn3QfTIbY2jeXik695mN6tfC9mxDSiaF9MVvHfgVLQxYABKyANbtzDr5RT-TPGPORmcx6G~AMcAq~7aAK-PIrihPn1Qhae9CC7LcvAima9yb3btmEwt6miAE0YXI5k9PxfSlzYO6mdvcBHsBinvpzx0ICVlR27gDHFwAZYwcq9kkX8VxW5QOyyunwvoi7UTW3pzeG6lfmO~1W920mw9DyKoCVpIco7y-ZvVa32omZaVu1e9qIss4GhfTA-Hk4SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Danvers Planning Board voted Feb. 25 to release the full performance guarantee securing construction at the Chatham Estates definitive subdivision, formerly 69 North Street.

The board’s certificate of completion states the subdivision work shown on the plan titled Chatham Estates, Danvers, Mass., dated May 25, 2021, revised through Feb. 7, 2022, has been “fully and satisfactorily completed” and that the planning board releases its interest in the $591,975.24 held under a tripartite agreement. The action cites Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 81U as the authority for release of performance security.

John Colantoni, identified at the meeting as a partner with Chatham Estates LLC, told the board the developer had the engineering division’s blessing and that the project team was “ready.” Town staff confirmed an engineering memorandum from Stephen King dated Feb. 21, 2025, and review by Henry Clark supported the release.

Chair Louis George opened the floor to board members and to the public; no members of the public spoke about the item. After a motion and second, board members voted in favor. The board directed staff to prepare the certificate of completion and release documents for the developer to record and to provide to the bank or other holders as needed.

Why it matters: Releasing the performance guarantee transfers responsibility for future maintenance and shows the town’s engineering staff has accepted the constructed municipal services and ways.

The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous; the certificate notes the plan is recorded at the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds, Book 40,829, Page 358.","The Town of Danvers Planning Board voted unanimously Feb. 25 to release the performance guarantee for the Chatham Estates definitive subdivision after the Engineering Division signed off on completed work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Danvers planning board previews housing production plan, public questions focus on new ADU state law

Chick‑fil‑A site plan review for 50 Independence Way continued to March 11

Trask Lane partial release application continued to March 25, planning board hears peer-review update

Planning Board approves reduction of Beaver Brook Woods performance guarantee to $17,600

Danvers Planning Board releases $591,975 performance guarantee for Chatham Estates subdivision