Planning Board continues Abiomed site plan review for 54 Cherry Hill Drive

The Town of Danvers Planning Board on April 28 continued a public hearing on a site plan submitted by Abiomed, Inc. for 54 Cherry Hill Drive after questions about landscaping, stormwater controls, fencing and irrigation. Acting Chair Jean Hartnett opened the hearing and the board voted 4–0 to continue to May 26, 2026.

Danell Baptiste, project manager for Highpoint Engineering, presented the proposal and introduced the project team. The application calls for demolition of roughly 8,000 square feet of existing building; construction of a new two‑story, approximately 23,000 square foot office building; and expansion of parking from 169 to 267 spaces. The plan includes nine accessible stalls plus three van‑accessible spaces and 10 EV‑ready stalls that the applicant says will be functional at project completion. The team also described new walkways, plaza spaces, landscape areas and a new fire line while otherwise leaving utilities largely unchanged.

The presentation included measures for erosion control and a stormwater system the project team said meet Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection standards. The record notes design details for stormwater basins of about 5–6 feet in depth with drainage designed to occur in less than 72 hours. The applicant indicated on‑site snow storage will remain outside wetland buffers and that off‑site hauling will be used when needed.

Landscape architect Michael Radner said the intent is a unified three‑building campus plan that uses stormwater basin edges as green space, with plantings composed of roughly two‑thirds or more native species. Radner said all landscaping would be irrigated and maintained by Abiomed and that lighting would be dark‑sky compliant. Cindy Murphy, director of architecture at Genesis, described the building exterior (metal panels in two grays and a curtain‑wall entry with canopy) and interior programing for relocated departments and flexible work zones; Murphy said on‑site solar panels are leased and would be relocated, with no new solar arrays proposed. The new building height is about 30 feet compared with roughly 26–28 feet for the existing building depending on grade.

Board members pressed on technical and operational issues. Michael Decoulos confirmed updated fire‑truck turning radii, asked about pedestrian paths and clarified height differences. Jim Sears asked detailed questions about snow storage, stormwater safety and fencing; the applicant will revisit a possible chain‑link safety fence. Sears emphasized the town’s preference for drought‑resistant, native plant species and minimization of town water for irrigation. The record shows construction staging is currently shown conceptually and will be finalized by the contractor; the minutes note no parking impact is expected because the existing building is presently unoccupied. Joshua Morris, Principal Planner, confirmed town practices on irrigation limits, water bans and landscape standards and said staff will coordinate receipt of updated plans before the next hearing.

The board did not receive any public comment during the hearing. Before adjourning, the board recorded several routine actions: it voted unanimously to continue the Abiomed application to May 26, 2026 to allow the applicant to submit revised plans addressing landscaping mix, fencing, irrigation/well considerations and other items; it approved March 24, 2026 minutes by a unanimous vote; and it scheduled follow‑up housekeeping including discussion of a site visit for a separate project. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the board voted 4–0 to continue the Abiomed site plan review to May 26, 2026 (motion by Dave Rodrigues; second Jim Sears), voted 4–0 to accept the March 24, 2026 minutes (motion by Jim Sears; second Michael Decoulos), and voted 4–0 to adjourn (motion by Michael Decoulos; second Jim Sears).