ANDOVER — Town boards and commissions will begin the review process on a mammoth mixed-use development proposed to bring 432 new residential units and commercial space to 100 Old River Road.
The Conservation Commission will review the project’s notice of intent on Feb. 3 for proposed construction of a new building, parking garage, surface parking, outdoor amenities, stormwater management system, native landscaping and invasive species management.
The project, referred to as The Commons at River Road, would build a five-story, mixed-use complex with 432 residential units, 65 or 15% of them designated as affordable housing units. The ground floor, as proposed, would house retail space and other amenities such as a fitness center. Courtyards are designed throughout the site along with plans for a dog park, according to the application.
The units range from one-bedroom spaces to three-bedroom townhouses. The project would increase the town’s subsidized housing inventory, the applicant said. The builder redeveloped and owns Andover Commons and developed Andover Business Park and Andover Place Apartments.
The Old River Road property is 9.6 acres with a vacant office building with an overgrown parking lot. The existing building would be demolished in order to construct the new 479,500 square foot one.
“The project will address criteria under the special permit, bringing much-needed housing supply to Andover and the surrounding area as well as providing a retail component which will enhance local services,” the application reads.
Although the Planning Board received the formal application for the project Jan. 15, the proposal originally presented last August. The board asked for the developer to consider a traffic study and adding sidewalks along Old River Road as some considerations as it prepared a site plan review and special permit.
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the project at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24, at the Town Office Building, 36 Bartlet St.
The applicant is seeking a special permit from the Planning Board to increase the density to 45 units per acre and erect a five-story building with the mixed-use component, according to the site plan review and special permit application.
Department of Public Works staff has also met in November with the applicant to review its design and utilities. There have also been two meetings with the Design Review Board since December to review the proposed building’s design and design updates.
Director of Planning and Land Use Paul Materazzo said the submission is the first application under the new Multifamily Overlay District, which was approved at Town Meeting in 2024. The overlay district allows for 35 units per acre with buildings up to four stories.
The project is a joint venture between John M. Corcoran and Company and SV + Partners, known on the application as JMC/SVP Old River Road, the owner of the site. The application is signed by Peter Mahoney, the executive vice president of John M. Corcoran and Company.
Road frontage for the complex is on River Road and Old River Road. It also includes plans for an open-air parking garage and surface parking. The project would offer 648 combined parking spaces available for the residential units and retail use.
Wetlands would be undisturbed and existing conditions improved with pervious surfaces, rain gardens and other landscaping. The applicant is also proposing removing invasive species with new plantings and an added sidewalk for Old River Road.
The proposed stormwater management system will improve the site’s drainage with an operation and maintenance plan, the applicant said.