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Commission grants negative determination and waivers for Abiomed site work at 24–42 Cherry Hill Drive
Summary
The commission approved a negative determination of applicability and granted waivers to allow limited work within the 35- and 50-foot buffer zones for Abiomed’s site improvements at 24–42 Cherry Hill Drive, with conditions including monthly progress reports and a $2,500 performance bond.
The Town of Danvers Conservation Commission on June 12 granted a negative determination of applicability and approved waivers permitting limited work within the 35-foot and 50-foot wetland buffer zones for site improvements at 24–42 Cherry Hill Drive (RDA file 2025-01), proposed by Abiomed.
Abiomed’s project team, represented by Danelle Baptiste of High Point and Michael Hood, told the commission the work would reduce impervious area across portions of the site by about 2,000 square feet and would include a patio area adjacent to an on-site training facility. The team said the work would involve de minimis disturbance in the 35-, 50- and 100-foot buffer zones but results in a net decrease in impervious surface overall.
Town staff told the commission they had reviewed the submission. Commissioners closed the public hearing and moved to grant the requested waivers to allow work in the 35-foot no-disturb zone and the 50-foot no-build zone. The commission then voted to issue a negative determination with conditions discussed during the hearing.
Conditions incorporated into the approval require progress reporting at mutually agreed intervals (the applicant agreed to monthly reports), a requirement to stop work and file a notice of intent if any work occurs outside the approved plan in jurisdictional resource areas, and posting a performance bond for the proposed work. The commission and applicant agreed on a performance bond in the amount of $2,500 to be released after the applicant submits a final update and staff conducts a confirming site visit. The applicant also agreed to allow monthly site walks with staff and to provide written updates.
The motion language in the meeting record cites RDA file number 2025-01 and specifies the waivers and conditions; the votes were recorded as in favor and the negative determination was issued. The commission did not identify any outstanding technical objections on the record; engineering review items referenced earlier in the transcript applied to a nearby parking improvement previously undertaken by the company.
The commission’s actions allow Abiomed to proceed under the terms imposed; staff will receive monthly progress reports and will conduct periodic site inspections to document compliance.
