Millipore asks Danvers conservation commission to allow 146 new parking spaces; hearing continued and site visit ordered

The Danvers Conservation Commission on June 26 continued a notice-of-intent hearing for Millipore (Millipore Sigma) after hearing a presentation on a proposal to add parking at 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive (DEP file #14-1438).

The applicant sought permission to add 146 parking spaces across three areas on the two properties and to install engineered stormwater treatment, constructed wetland features and invasive-species removal and restoration within the commission’s buffer and riverfront zones. The commission voted to continue the matter to its next meeting and directed staff and the applicant to provide additional detail and to arrange a site visit before further action.

The proposal and why it matters

Jill Mann, legal counsel for Millipore Sigma, told the commission the company consolidated operations to 17 Cherry Hill and lost off-site parking at 54 Cherry Hill, increasing demand for on-site spaces. “We currently have on these 2 properties about 318 parking spaces,” Mann said, and the application would increase capacity by 146 spaces to reduce off‑site and grass parking during shift changes.

Company representative Mark Baker said the plant runs multiple shifts with heavy overlap at the A and B shifts and described those shifts as “close to capacity now,” noting the loss of roughly 75–80 overflow spaces formerly at 54 Cherry Hill.

What the application would do

Consultant Maureen Harold of North Environmental Services explained the plan would remove some pavement and…