[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6286885,"mediaKeyId","2556230-9f80e245998063b8dc12e9d3c0eba265","parentId",2556230,"title","Danvers staff present draft housing production plan as state ADU law and local roadmap prompt debate","audioSeconds",2496,"startMs",3508000,"endMs",6004000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556230-9f80e245998063b8dc12e9d3c0eba265&start=3508&end=6004","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556230-9f80e245998063b8dc12e9d3c0eba265/thumbnail_3508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286885/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Danvers-staff-present-draft-housing-production-plan-as-state-ADU-law-and-local-roadmap-prompt-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286885-fb0ec25364042f884635b5910f01ed93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448710&Signature=Fy2EumgVyVaDI8rbphJJWuWLwnFidYnlkbYVCkG1SHN8bUpyFJTQqr1rbTiHATXhoL~7p2eN6Nx6N3sZg16n8ZKiJing9W8kxW0wFnj1B4ilppGDwwR0Iy5Fjm8P9c0s26vpdN1V33x5uCsuu-yg310W1mllQ92b67hiEMyGPnAacyvXLiB97GoB36W~WBTDdkQG8V78Cef0VcfjYhXvbKYpDHlZQliqESmNxfa6JY6pJEfANK3Bh9zgf4-1QOLFN9sPv06utovzSUvBRs2CxfbN~0d-ZDxTF9S9L5r2Z77An2jIho~MFBvcs7W1VNqZwtkna0T8xB6bTj7hZKiVUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Danvers, MA","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Danvers planning staff and the Affordable Housing Trust introduced a draft Housing Production Plan at the Planning Board meeting, triggering a wide-ranging discussion of housing needs, the new state accessory dwelling unit law and possible local implementation steps. Aaron Henry, Director of Land Use and Community Services, led the presentation and said the plan's goals are to sustain Danvers' affordable housing portfolio, address senior and accessible housing needs, promote housing production that supports local wealth building and to leverage key sites for mixed‑income housing.

Why it matters: Danvers has achieved the state's 10% affordable housing threshold under Chapter 40B, but town officials said a certified housing production plan makes the town eligible for some state grants and provides a framework for ongoing housing work. The town also faces a new state accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law that took effect Feb. 3, 2025, which requires local zoning to permit ADUs in specified circumstances and creates questions about how existing local rules such as extended family living areas (EFLAs) and dwelling conversions will interact with the new law.

Presentation highlights and evidence of need: Henry summarized the plan’s demographic analysis, noting an aging population and smaller household sizes. He said about 3,000 Danvers households — roughly one in four — spend more than one‑third of their income on housing, a common metric of cost burden. \"We have about 3,000 households in Danvers that are spending more than a third of their income on their housing,\" Henry said.

Key implementation items: the draft contains 19 implementation actions. Staff emphasized several they consider priorities for further work: (1) reviewing two‑family opportunities, (2) developing ADU regulations that promote production while addressing short‑term rental use, and (3) commissioning a planning study of the Endicott Street/Liberty Tree Mall corridor to develop a community vision for zoning and redevelopment. Henry told the board that the Affordable Housing Trust funded the consultant work and that the plan will be refined through further public workshops and inter‑board review among the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen and the Affordable Housing Trust.

Concerns raised by board members and public commenters: board members asked for additional detail and process clarity. Several members asked that the plan be considered in the context of a broader comprehensive (master) plan and requested more time for inter‑board reconciliation. Tim Spittle asked whether the housing plan functions as the housing element of a comprehensive plan; Henry said the housing production plan can satisfy the housing element requirement. Members pressed for a clearer runway for public engagement and asked staff to provide an age‑cohort break‑out of the cost‑burden and income data.

ADUs, enforcement and unintended consequences: a major thread of the discussion focused on the February ADU law. Several board members and residents warned that by permitting ADUs broadly, the town could see increased density, parking strain and utility demands unless the town carefully defines implementation rules. Board members asked whether the town can limit ADU features (for example, size, setback or short‑term rental use) and how existing EFLAs will relate to the new ADU framework. Henry said the state law limits what towns can require of ADUs but that staff will propose local regulations to manage specific circumstances and to harmonize EFLAs, dwelling conversions and short‑term rental rules. One town meeting member cited the limited response to the project's public survey (284 respondents) and urged wider outreach.

Programs and next steps: Henry said the Affordable Housing Trust has already started some work identified in the plan, including a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to fund a local home‑repair program and seed funds for critical home maintenance for eligible homeowners. Staff proposed forming a housing roundtable of municipal boards and local organizations to build consensus, identifying a third‑party monitoring agent to ensure regulated units remain compliant with affordability rules, and pursuing corridor planning for Endicott Street.

Public comment: multiple residents addressed the board. Town Meeting member Lauren Steves said she opposes automatic rezoning of all single‑family districts to allow two families and questioned the weight given to a small survey sample; Steves observed that \"it was a survey of 284 people out of a town of 28,000 that self selected into this survey.\" Other speakers urged use of native landscaping, noted local cost burdens, and asked that the town prioritize open space preservation while it refines the plan.

Follow‑up and process: staff will circulate the draft to the Board of Selectmen and the Affordable Housing Trust and expects to return to the Planning Board with further revisions and technical details from the consultant. Henry encouraged public input and said planning staff would post the presentation and accept written comments as the plan is refined. The board asked staff to provide additional analyses — including age‑cohort breakdowns of cost burden and a summary of options the town has to regulate ADUs and mitigate adverse impacts — before the next substantive review meeting.

What to watch: the plan will be iterated through additional public outreach and inter‑board negotiations; proposed zoning or regulatory changes that implement the plan (for example, ADU regulations, local preferences for affordable units or a corridor plan for Endicott Street) would return to the Planning Board as discrete regulatory or zoning articles requiring formal public hearings and potential town meeting action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Danvers: Planning Board Meeting: 3/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","Town staff presented a draft housing production plan aimed at sustaining Danvers’ affordable housing stock and addressing senior and accessibility needs; the presentation prompted discussion about accessory dwelling units, two‑family zoning, monitoring and program funding, and the plan will be refined through more public and inter‑board review.","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},6286891,"Planning board continues Chick‑fil‑A site plan review for 50 Independence Way after extended public hearing",3952,252000,4204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556230-9f80e245998063b8dc12e9d3c0eba265&start=252&end=4204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556230-9f80e245998063b8dc12e9d3c0eba265/thumbnail_252000.jpg","/articles/6286891/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Planning-board-continues-ChickfilA-site-plan-review-for-50-Independence-Way-after-extended-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286891-891ce71cafd66297c7a8a7a11debc54d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448710&Signature=VEi5MYeM02TOn~dVUjiCxd19QZe-81gYpOuMjq2xviDXKZxDGlgq0is5pV0Z2zpxictdhXiTP~w3VcaFKIwdNex~I4Aef~eLz6Xv4GhD8E30dwN5SXqECflDgWn1UzbzvtPAAKkTNERh-xHMb~UfqsudaGwwat5bVmaidrSoXPx2xhrp6TkWjAwkE~Zd49~sanWjRx2ShpUsmi3CSwgj5dlCUxGh237cLG9aTsRvb6qJKLCZ55ABnBNtpbdC~x2cvhvquPhHiCwWO7A~iSlIGzXTESlySKM4K6NXAq7rLUK7eYa~TdicJTQ5w5LEsUbEJ-2KShdmnPYfAUmX5cq15w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Danvers Planning Board continued the public hearing on a site plan application from Chick‑fil‑A for 50 Independence Way, the former Friendly Toast building in the Liberty Tree Mall, after hearing a presentation from the applicant and detailed questions from board members, town staff and members of the public. The board voted to continue the hearing to March 25, 2025.

The application, presented by Joey Fonseca of Bowler (design) and Zach Millbrooks for Chick‑fil‑A, proposes a prototypical 5,100‑square‑foot standalone restaurant with indoor seating for 70 and a double‑lane drive‑through with an optional third “mobile” lane. Aaron Firdette of Bowman Consulting Group described the traffic memo and said the consultant expects about 55 new entering and 55 new exiting vehicles in the Saturday midday peak hour; he told the board those additional trips translate to roughly a 2% or less increase on Endicott Street during that peak. \"We're seeing about 55 entering vehicles and 55 exiting vehicles,\" Firdette said.

Why it matters: the project would change the immediate layout and parking at a high‑traffic mall property and raise recurring concerns about drive‑through operations, on‑site circulation, stormwater and the condition and ownership of the private ring roads that serve the plaza. Town staff warned that engineering comments submitted late required follow‑up, and the board decided it needed further information — particularly about paving responsibilities and outstanding engineering memos — before taking a vote.

Site plan summary and operations: the proposed building sits in roughly the same footprint as the existing restaurant and uses shared mall parking. Applicant materials list 59 required parking spaces based on seating and a maximum shift of 35 employees; the site layout results in a net loss of about 38 parking spaces on the immediately affected lot but relies on shared parking agreements across the Liberty Tree Mall. The plan converts roughly 9,000 square feet of paved area to landscaped areas and proposes the addition of three new canopy trees, 18 evergreen trees and more than 200 ornamental grasses and shrubs, together with deep‑sump catch basins and hooded outlets to improve water quality.

Traffic, circulation and the three‑lane drive‑through: the proposal includes two order/processing lanes and a third outside lane intended for mobile app pickups. Applicant representatives said the third lane can be opened or closed and that its outside position is not covered by a canopy to allow emergency apparatus to pass when needed. Joey Fonseca described the three‑lane arrangement as an operational adaptation tied to mobile ordering; he cited a recently opened Newington, New Hampshire location as a local example and told the board that team members will staff the drive‑through during peak times to take orders and deliver meals to vehicles.

Utilities, deliveries and hours: the applicant anticipates tying into existing water, sewer, electric and gas services, adding a new transformer for power and additional catch basins in the drive‑through area. Large deliveries would be scheduled before the store opens to avoid daytime conflicts; the applicant indicated typical truck deliveries arrive overnight. Proposed store hours listed in materials are 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with the restaurant closed Sundays.

Roadway ownership and paving questions: a substantial portion of the discussion focused on who controls the mall's internal roadways and on commitments for roadway repairs. Andrew Hayes of Eastern Real Estate, representing the property owner, said he owns roughly three‑quarters of the southbound portion of the section of Independence Way closest to the proposed building and is coordinating with Simon (the mall manager) on an overall capital plan to improve the ring roads. Hayes said, \"we are working with them and coordinating with them on that effort,\" and that prior mill and overlay work had been completed on some segments. Town staff noted they had received an engineering memo late and needed time to reconcile utility and pavement items with the development team.

Public comments and site maintenance: several residents raised concerns about maintenance of landscaping and the condition of the mall's ring roads and lighting. One resident asked who would be responsible for long‑term maintenance of plantings; Chick‑fil‑A representative Zach Millbrooks said the site is operated by a local operator and that Chick‑fil‑A Inc. and the local operator have facility and maintenance responsibilities. Neighbors asked about pedestrian access and safety; the applicant said the site plan includes a pedestrian crosswalk in front of the building but noted there are no continuous sidewalks across the entire plaza today.

Board action and next steps: after discussion the board made and seconded a motion to continue the public hearing to March 25, 2025, to allow engineering comments, parking and roadway maintenance responsibilities and outstanding memos to be resolved. The motion passed with all members voting in favor. Josh Morris, town staff, told the board early in the hearing that \"we won't be voting on this item tonight\" because of the late engineering comments and the need for follow‑up.\" The board asked the applicant and staff to work with the town engineer and the property owners and to return with revised materials and clearer commitments on paving and maintenance.

What to watch: the applicant will work to resolve engineering comments and coordinate with Simon (mall management) and property owners on roadway improvements and a proposed schedule; the next Planning Board meeting is March 25, 2025, when the hearing will resume. If the board receives adequate responses to the engineering and roadway questions, it will consider a vote at that or a subsequent meeting.","The Danvers Planning Board heard a detailed site presentation and public concerns for a proposed standalone Chick‑fil‑A with a double drive‑through at Liberty Tree Mall and voted to continue the public hearing to March 25 for further engineering and roadway coordination.","actionData","errors"]

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Danvers staff present draft housing production plan as state ADU law and local roadmap prompt debate

Planning board continues Chick‑fil‑A site plan review for 50 Independence Way after extended public hearing