Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Monday March 5, 2025 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA Remote Participation Optional via Zoom Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For a recording of the meeting, visit www.ltc.org Members Present Chairman Linnehan Vice Chair Frechette Member Tenczar Member Cheng Member Walker Member Sar Member Cardoso Silva Members Absent None Others Present Francesca Cigliano, Senior Planner A quorum of the Board was present. Chairman Linnehan called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM I. Minutes for Approval 2/2/2025 G. Frechette motioned and T. Linnehan seconded the motion to approve the meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). C. Cheng abstained from voting on the minutes. II. Continued Business Proposed Zoning Amendment – Rivers Edge Road 01852 In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lowell Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing to hear all interested persons relative to an ordinance to amend “The Code of Ordinances City of Lowell, Massachusetts,” with respect to Chapter 290, thereof entitled “Lowell Zoning Code” by extending the existing Traditional Two Family (TTF) zoning district to include parcels totaling 12.5 +/- acres in the area of River’s Edge Road in Lowell, which is presently zoned Suburban Multi-Family (SMF). On Behalf: John Geary, Applicant’s Attorney Brian Milisci, Applicant’s Engineer Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette said he remembers when it came before the board previously. Happy to see it going back to the original intent of the development. Would be more consistent with what’s been developed to date. J. Geary stated all would be owner occupied units. J. Geary stated they would be going back before the board when the proposal is ready to apply for Site Plan Review. More steps are needed before getting to that point. C. Cheng said he concurs with Member Frechette and with comments from planning staff. Would provide good housing to the city. B. Milisci said the layout is the layout from the original approved plans. Utilities and street layout is the same. Stormwater system is changing slightly. D. Tenczar said he agrees with Vice Chairman Frechette. Curious about intent in 2020. J. Geary said intent was a denser final phase. No design accompanied zoning change. D. Tenczar said this seems to fit what’s presently going on. D. Tenczar asked if there would be any low-income units. J. Geary said all would be income restricted. L. Walker said she agrees with other members that it will fit in with other buildings. T. Sar said this is a good idea. Will bring a lot of taxes to the city. J. Cardoso Silve said no questions. T. Linnehan said he is in favor. Whatever it takes to change the zoning. I like this better than the previous proposal. Whatever is needed to get project completed is welcome. Motion: G. Frechette motioned to issue a positive recommendation for the following reasons:  1. The Planning Board Members found that the zoning amendment would restore the final phase o the original intent of the development; and 2. The Board found that the zoning amendment would provide an opportunity to develop the parcel in line with what has been developed to date. The motion was seconded by T. Linnehan and passed unanimously, (5-0). III. New Business IV. Other Business V. Further Comments from Planning Board Members VI. Adjournment D. Tenczar motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The time was 6:47PM.