The North Andover Planning Board unanimously approved the final permits needed to replace the 1954 Lawrence Municipal Airport terminal with a modern $5.6 million to $6.1 million administration building, clearing the project for construction after months of review.

The board voted at its Tuesday, Aug. 11 meeting to grant site plan review, a parking reduction and landscape modification special permits for the one-story, 7,069-square-foot building at 492 Sutton St. The state, through MassDOT, is covering roughly 95% of the cost, according to North Andover Assistant Town Manager Andrew Shapiro in an Aug. 12 town development update.

The fire department sign-off had been the last hurdle. Planning Director Jean Enright told the board the department was "satisfied" but requested one change: moving a fire hydrant from inside the airport security fence to the front left corner of the building, outside the fence. The applicant agreed, and the town's DPW water and sewer division also signed off.

"I really appreciate the support that this body and the town of North Andover has continued to provide the airport, but specifically to this project," Airport Manager Francisco Ureña said at the Aug. 11 meeting. He added that the airport commission was "amenable to provide whatever the needs of North Andover when it came to firefighting operations."

The project will demolish the existing 72-year-old terminal on Terminal Road and build a new structure on the same footprint. The replacement will house airport administration and two tenants, including space for a future restaurant with an outdoor dining plaza facing the airfield. The parking lot will be reconfigured with 46 spaces, five of them electric vehicle-ready, down from the 53 required by zoning.

Project manager Phil Cox of Cox Aviation said at the board's July 21 public hearing, as reported by the Andover Townsman on July 30, that construction would take 18 months once the project goes out to bid.

The board attached conditions: any restaurant tenant must return before the Planning Board to discuss hours of operation and additional lighting needs before opening. The applicant must also demonstrate that lighting meets IESNA minimum standards before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The board set a $10,000 performance bond.

Next up: the North Andover Select Board has a request from the City of Lawrence to waive permit fees for the project on its Thursday, Aug. 20 agenda, according to a community group post referencing the agenda.