Community Teamwork Inc plans women's shelter conversion in Concord River area

The Lowell Conservation Commission meeting held on July 16, 2025, focused on a proposed renovation project by Community Teamwork Inc. for a property located at the corner of Church and Warren Streets. The meeting began with a presentation of an aerial image taken on April 14, which provided a modern view of the site, currently occupied by a two-story L-shaped building and an existing parking lot.

The property is characterized by a fully impervious surface, lacking stormwater management and landscaping. The parking lot is in disrepair, with visible cracking and other issues. Community Teamwork Inc. aims to convert the property into a women's shelter, which will involve internal renovations that do not require a formal application, as well as significant improvements to the parking lot.

The discussion included details about the proximity of the site to the Concord River, with a delineation of the river conducted on April 18. The site plans revealed a steep slope leading down to the river, with defined banks and a bordering vegetated wetland. The project will maintain a 25-foot riverfront area outside the project site, while the 100-foot buffer zone slightly intersects it.

Key proposals for the parking lot include the incorporation of stormwater management systems, repaving, and the introduction of concrete pavers. The existing retaining wall will remain, with two additional retaining walls added to facilitate the redesign. The plan aims to reduce impervious surfaces by creating landscape beds between parking areas, ultimately decreasing the total impervious cover by 172 square feet.

To enhance stormwater management, the project will install two Coltec systems beneath the parking lot and concrete pavers, connected to catch basins and redirected roof gutters. A landscape plan has also been included, proposing the addition of 39 trees and shrubs, along with 20 herbaceous plugs.

The commission reviewed the project under a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA), with the expectation that these renovations will result in a net improvement to the site. The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from the commission members regarding the proposed changes.