The Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 12 approved variance relief for minimum on‑site parking to permit a phased redevelopment of North Canal affordable housing at 463 and 281 Moody St., a project led by New North Canal LLC in partnership with Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA).

Attorney Catherine Flood described plans to replace aging housing stock with two new buildings totaling 160 affordable units: a four‑story building at 463 Moody with 100 senior‑restricted one‑bedroom units and a five‑story building at 281 Moody with 60 family units. Flood said the proposal would modernize units, increase green space and add community programming areas; the project seeks parking relief because the redevelopment would provide fewer spaces on site than the zoning minimums (project shows 70 spaces where 204 required at 463 Moody, and 47 spaces where 122 required at 281 Moody), relying on a traffic study and proximity to transit and public parking.

Brendan (project manager, Coalition for a Better Acre) and Jaime Aqualino (tenant council president) emphasized resident support and a resident‑centered relocation strategy during phased construction. Project consultants presented stormwater infiltration design, coordination with Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility and strategies to tie parking supply to a future parcel (150 Father Morissette Blvd.) if needed.

Board members praised the community engagement and design; they also requested that transportation‑engineer item #4 be added as a condition to approval. Member McCarthy moved to approve the parking variances for the two parcels with that transportation condition; the motion passed by roll call.

The project team said construction is contingent on financing but anticipates breaking ground on Site 1 (463 Moody) in early 2028 with an 18–24 month construction window; mitigation for any wastewater threshold issues tied to later parcels will be addressed during future phases.