North Andover has more than 450 housing units and several commercial projects either approved or in the pipeline, according to a development update assistant town manager and Director of Community and Economic Development Andrew Shapiro gave on North Andover CAM on Thursday, Aug. 13.
The projects span downtown Main Street, the Osgood Street corridor and Lawrence Municipal Airport.
0 Prescott Street: 280 units, safe harbor achieved
The biggest project on the list is already approved. The Zoning Board of Appeals on July 14 granted a Chapter 40B comprehensive permit for 280 rental units at 0 Prescott Street, a 6.1-acre parcel at the corner of Prescott and High streets currently occupied by a one-story parking garage. Seventy of the units will be permanently affordable.
The approval pushes North Andover's Subsidized Housing Inventory to 1,246 units, or 10.43% of the 2020 census count, clearing the state's 10% threshold. That gives the town "safe harbor" status, meaning local boards now have full authority to review future housing proposals without the threat of state overrides.
"This major milestone officially pushes North Andover into safe harbor status under 40B rules, shielding our community from unwanted state-mandated overrides and restoring full local zoning control over future housing proposals moving forward," Shapiro said during the interview.
The original application proposed 296 units; 16 were removed after a building was pulled back from the nearest abutter, as the Andover Townsman reported July 30. As of the Aug. 13 taping, the project was in its 20-day appeal period.
China Blossom site: 108 units proposed
Developer Princeton Properties has proposed a Local Initiative Program project at the former China Blossom restaurant site at 946 Osgood St. The most recent version calls for 108 units in a single building, with 27 affordable units set at 50% of area median income. A 3-acre adjacent parcel would remain undeveloped. An earlier version presented to the Select Board on June 15 called for 124 units.
Because the town is now in safe harbor, the Select Board has full control over whether to sponsor the project. If the board declines, it won't move forward.
Shapiro said the town plans to launch a dedicated project webpage and community survey so residents can weigh in before any decision.
Other projects in the pipeline
- 149 Main St. (former Santander Bank): Construction is underway on 24 condos (three affordable) and more than 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Completion is expected in 2027.
- 1591 Osgood St. (former Jimmy's Pizza): All local approvals are in hand. Demolition was expected to begin in summer 2026, making way for 38 residential units (five affordable) plus commercial space along Route 125.
- 1250 Osgood St.: A new 21,000-square-foot commercial building anchored by The Learning Experience, a childcare center serving up to 180 children, with additional office or retail space.
- Downtown streetscape: The improvement project is nearing 25% design completion. Final plans are expected by summer 2027. Roundabouts previously considered for downtown intersections were removed based on public feedback.
- Lawrence Municipal Airport (492 Sutton St.): The airport commission is seeking Planning Board approval to replace the 1954 administration building with a new 7,000-square-foot terminal and office structure. MassDOT is covering 95% of the estimated $5.6 million to $6.1 million cost. Construction is expected to take 18 months once the project goes to bid.
The China Blossom community survey has no announced launch date. The Select Board has not scheduled a vote on whether to sponsor the LIP. Residents can watch the full Shapiro interview on North Andover CAM.
