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North Hill seeks zoning tweak to add building as demand for senior housing rises
Summary
North Hill representatives asked the Planning Board to sponsor a modest A2‑district zoning amendment to allow another 4‑story (50‑foot) building and a higher FAR on the campus; the board signaled general support and advised outreach and special‑permit review steps.
North Hill officials described a proposed zoning tweak at the Planning Board meeting on Jan. 6 to enable a limited expansion on the continuing care retirement campus.
Joe Frias, president and CEO of North Hill, told the board the nonprofit operates roughly 437 units across its 59.5‑acre campus and faces a multi‑year waiting list for independent living. Tim Sullivan, speaking for North Hill, said the organization seeks minor changes in the A‑2 district to permit an additional four‑story building up to 50 feet (the same height already allowed for the existing nursing building) and to adjust the floor‑area‑ratio (FAR) treatment — proposing movement from an effective 0.3 toward 0.5 to better reflect the building program that includes parking, corridors and support space.
Sullivan said four candidate areas were considered and that Area B — the largest undeveloped portion of the campus close to existing amenities — is the preferred site for an attached addition. He said the group favors attached construction to preserve shared circulation and allow care transitions across levels.
Board members asked about stormwater/runoff, tree removal and parking impacts; Sullivan said any project would be designed to meet stormwater standards and that detailed design would return under the special‑permit and site‑plan review process. Adam described the request as “modest” and said he would support planning board sponsorship toward a May Town Meeting article if the zoning language is ready.
Next steps: Tim and Lee (planning staff) said they would finalize draft language in the following weeks and return to the board for final review, with the hope of placing a bylaw article on the May warrant. No vote on a specific zoning text was taken at the Jan. 6 meeting.
