Neighbors cite years of runoff damage as ZBA continues 318 Andover subdivision request to June 23

The City of Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals on June 9 continued a petition by property owner Greg Looney to subdivide 318 Andover Street after multiple abutters reported years of groundwater runoff, retaining‑wall failures and property damage linked to hillside development.

Neighbors told the board they have experienced basement flooding, uprooted trees and recurring erosion problems near the proposed subdivision; the board directed the applicant to provide a stamped civil engineering grading and drainage plan that shows how the project will prevent runoff onto adjacent properties before the ZBA resumes the matter.

Attorney James Harrington, representing the applicant, said the property had originally been two lots now merged and that the applicant proposes to create a new Parcel 2 while leaving an existing home on Parcel 1. Harrington said the lot meets minimum lot area requirements but cannot meet frontage requirements because of the lot shape. He said the…