Redevelopment Proposal Would More Than Double Royal Crest Housing

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — A mixed-use redevelopment proposal would more than double the amount of housing at North Andover's Royal Crest Estate.

The proposal from Boston-based development company Trinity Financial would require town meeting approval for a new zoning overlay district, among other town approvals. Representatives of Royal Crest and the property owner Aimco have already begun discussions with the Planning Board and other town officials.

“Great mixed-use developments define towns and bring people together,” said Jim Keefe, a principal at Trinity, in a news release. “This site is centrally located along the Route 114 commercial corridor and boasts connectivity to many of North Andover’s neighborhoods. It is just three miles from the Andover Train Station and will promote a more pedestrian-friendly lifestyle.”

The 76-acre Royal Crest Estates Apartments apartments are over 50 years old and are "underutilized and inefficiently laid out" according to the release.

The full plan, which the developers don't expect to complete before 2030, would have over 1,600 units, including townhomes, market-rate multi-family housing, mixed-income multi-family housing, Merrimack student housing and 55+ housing. The mixed-income housing would bring the town above the 40B low income housing threshold, according to developers.

Currently, the property has 588 units.

The first phases, planned to be Student Housing and 40B mixed-income components, would be occupied beginning in Spring 2015.

The new zoning overlay district would have a slightly higher floor area ratio than the current zoning, from 0.75 to 1. Floor area ratio dictates the maximum amount of floorspace relative to the lot size.

The plan also calls for a boutique hotel, office space, 75,000 square feet of retail space, a 2-acre "town green" and a 14-acre wooded buffer. Developers are working with MassDOT on Route 114 improvements including road-widening, turning-lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks.

Merrimack College Executive Vice President Jeffrey Doggett was enthusiastic about the proposal.

“This project is a win-win," Doggett said. "It’s an opportunity for North Andover residents to see the vision laid out in the town’s Master Plan process become a reality and also a great way for Merrimack College to leverage its growth to not only advance the project but also build on our commitment to our community.”

The proposal was first discussed by the Planning Board in November and is again on their agenda for their Tuesday meeting. More information on the proposal is available at newroyalcrest.info.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.