Luxury complex OK by town, not neighbors!             4/22/00
•Neighbors may appeal the approval of Powder Mill Square, saying the parking garage of the luxury complex will create a health risk
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By Ethan Forman
Eagle-Tribune Writer

ANDOVER — The Planning Board has unanimously approved the $25 million Powder Mill Square luxury condominium and medical office complex in the Shawsheen section of town.
   But abutters may appeal the decision, fearing the medical center's planned parking garage would fill with raw sewerage during floods, creating a health risk. The Shawsheen River has spilled over its banks three times since 1994.
   Peter M. Hadley of 8 Joyce Terrace said he finds it ridiculous that developers would propose to flood a garage with raw sewerage just to increase the size of the development.
   The 51/2-acre site of the project sits on the corner of Stevens and North Main streets, on the banks of the river.
As one of the 44 conditions placed on the project by the Planning Board, the bottom floor of a two- story garage would be designed to flood when the Shawsheen River spills its banks, to store water that might otherwise flood nearby homes.
   In that event, the medical office facility would be evacuated until cars could safely park in the garage. Mr. Hadley does not like the fact the project may put people in harm's way.
   In January, Mr. Hadley and others appealed the Conservation Commission's approval of the project to the Deparunent of Environmental Protection. That appeal is still in the works. As part of that appeal, he presented evidence to the DEP that the floodwaters contain raw sewerage loaded with fecal coliform bacteria.
   Mr. Hadley said he has yet to read the Planning Board's decision, and when asked if he would appeal, he said, "chances are pretty good. I wouldn't bet against it."
   Abutters have 20 days to file an appeal in Superior Court.
One of the developers said he's "thrilled" to have reached the end of the long approval process, which has dragged on for almost a year.
"We are thrilled,we got a unaminous vote by the Planning Board," said Thomas D. Laudani, one of the partners in the development.
   "We think that it is a project that is going to be an asset to the town of Andover," Mr. Laudani said, touting a 20-percent affordable housing component and the 65,000 square foot medical office facility. Fourteen of the 72 elder-housing units will be deemed affordable, and it's proposed that the Holy Family Hospital would staff a walk-in clinic.
   If abutters appeal, "we'll just proceed accordingly," he said.
The campus-style complex will be built by Powder Mill Square, LLC, formerly known as Northpoint Realty Development Corp. of Andover. The project's partners are Mr.Laudani and Louis P. Minicucci Jr.
   Developers still have to file more plans with the Planning Board, said Stephen Colyer, the Director of Planning for the Department Community Development and Planning. He added that Powder Mill Square was one of the most complex projects the Planning Board has ever decided.

Some of the conditions of approval on the site include:

Restaurants and consumer retail shops are prohibited.

Conversion of condominium units from elderly housing is prohibited.

A new sidewalk would be built along the western side of North Main Street.

The developer will have to build a river walk.