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Petition to Rezone 249 Andover St. for Community Ice Rink Draws Local Concerns
Summary
Petitioners asked to rezone 249 Andover Street from Residential III to Highway Corridor Zone to build a community ice rink with a single sheet of ice, ~50 parking spaces and a 70‑foot wetland bridge; the Planning Board and neighbors raised traffic, wetlands and future‑use concerns and continued the hearing to April 6, 2026.
Petitioners seeking to rezone 249 Andover Street from Residential III (R‑3) to the Highway Corridor Zone (HCZ) told the Danvers Planning Board on March 24 that the change would allow construction of a single‑sheet community ice skating rink with a lobby, concessions, locker rooms and roughly 50 parking spaces. Dana R. MacNamee, the property owner, and members of the project team described the parcel as commercially used for about 70 years and said wetlands, retaining walls and a constrained buildable envelope make residential reuse difficult.
Neighbors and Planning Board members pressed for more detail on environmental impacts, traffic and potential future uses if the rink fails. Dave McKenna (Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8) called the proposal “on the edge but reasonable” but said the town must “be cautious about the precedent of rezoning.” Joanne Ragucci (TMM Precinct 2) and Kevin Berich (TMM Precinct 4) warned that rezoning to HCZ could allow other commercial uses — including self‑storage — that might be harmful to abutters. Bill McKenzie (TMM Precinct 3) raised safety concerns at the nearby Route 1/Home Depot intersection, saying a 50‑space parking demand would create hazardous traffic flows at a constrained curb cut. Denise Casey asked whether traffic and noise studies had been performed; Linda Polcari questioned wetlands disturbance and tree removal, and Bill Bradstreet requested aerial imagery without foliage to better assess conditions.
Planning Board members said more information and outreach were needed on abutter consultation, traffic and environmental constraints, and the range of potential HCZ uses; they also discussed alternative zoning paths such as seeking nonconforming‑use relief through the Zoning Board of Appeals. With those items outstanding, the board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing to April 6, 2026. The continuance motion was made by Jim Sears, seconded by Jean Hartnett; Jean Hartnett, Jim Sears and Louis George each voted yes.
The petitioners described a planned 70‑foot bridge crossing wetlands to provide site access; the board and commenters asked for clearer plans and studies that address wetland impacts and access requirements, including any MassDOT curb‑cut rules that may apply. The Planning Board did not take a final position on rezoning. The hearing will resume April 6 when petitioners are expected to provide additional materials and responses to abutter and environmental questions.
