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Planning board gives positive recommendation to City Council for River’s Edge amendment to add 32 units
Summary
The board voted to recommend that City Council amend the River’s Edge planned residential development permit to allow 16 duplex lots (32 units), with the developer seeking Commonwealth grant funding and committing to 30‑year deed restrictions for affordability.
The Lowell Planning Board voted May 4 to give City Council a positive recommendation to amend a special permit for the River’s Edge planned residential development (165 Nelson Ave) so the final phase can add 16 duplex lots totaling 32 dwelling units.
Attorney John Geary, representing Residence 1st Development Corporation, said the amended plan increases the project’s permitted unit count to 187 and that the developer will seek competitive Commonwealth grant funding to support construction. Geary said the units are targeted for buyers earning roughly 70–100% of the area median income and that each unit would be deed‑restricted for 30 years.
Brian Melissa, civil engineer with Haley Ward, reviewed site changes: lot reconfiguration to create duplex‑compliant lots, preservation of the previously approved right‑of‑way, a below‑ground recharge/stormwater system replacing an earlier open detention basin, and retaining municipal water and sewer service. Melissa said the new below‑ground recharge design will include an emergency overflow and allow more usable backyard area while meeting conservation and MassDEP requirements.
Board members who spoke praised the work to revive a long‑dormant phase of the project. Committee member Tony Tintill asked whether the affordable units will be limited to Lowell residents; the applicants said the buyer pool will be managed by a partner organization, the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership, with a lottery for eligible first‑time homebuyers in the region. One board member had recused earlier on the application.
The board recorded a positive recommendation to City Council; the applicant said it will appear before the council on May 12 for the council’s vote. If the council approves and the conservation commission signs off, the developer will return to the planning board later for definitive subdivision amendments and construction‑level approvals.
What’s next: Residence 1st will apply for grant funding and seek the City Council’s approval on May 12; planning staff and conservation review will continue before final subdivision approvals and permitting.
