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ZBA clears Middlesex School field house with 72 ft 9 in height waiver
Summary
The ZBA granted Middlesex School a special permit and a height waiver to build a 72 ft 9 in field house (about 72,000 sq ft of space and 25,000 sq ft parking) at 1400 Lowell Road, citing programmatic need and planning‑board recommendations; conditions and appeal period apply.
The Concord Zoning Board of Appeals voted Sept. 19 to approve Middlesex School’s special permit and site plan review for a new athletics practice facility at 1400 Lowell Road, granting a height waiver to 72 feet 9 inches.
Kurt Lacroix, project director for Middlesex, and other members of the design team said the field house provides roughly 72,000 square feet of assignable space with about 25,000 square feet of lower‑level parking, three courts (including an indoor turf practice space) and an elevated practice track. The school described the project as a long‑deferred upgrade to campus athletic facilities and said the design will pursue LEED Silver certification.
Architects and engineers explained site selection (reuse of an existing gravel lot adjacent to current athletic facilities), steps taken to avoid wetlands, and a hybrid roof design that pairs flat portions with a gabled section to limit apparent massing. Project presentations compared the new roof peak with the existing ORGym, noting the new building’s peak is higher but that summertime tree canopy will screen much of the view from Lowell Road.
Board members said the team addressed questions from the prior hearing and cited the planning board’s recommendation and conditions. Members emphasized exterior lighting will be dark‑sky compliant and interior fixtures will be controlled to limit after‑hours illumination. The board approved the special permit and height waiver, instructing staff to draft a decision that incorporates planning‑board findings and the conditions discussed.
The applicant was reminded the written decision will be filed with the town clerk and that a 20‑day appeal period will begin upon filing; the project team may begin addressing the conditions immediately and may submit building‑permit materials while the appeal period runs, but permits will not issue until conditions are satisfied.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the written decision reflecting the planning board’s recommendations and the conditions agreed tonight.
