ANDOVER — Voters approved a zoning district on Tuesday that allows for the potential construction of up to 2,121 multifamily housing units.
Only a day after more than 900 voters turned out Monday for the first day of Town Meeting, the state-mandated district was approved 434-196.
To combat the housing crisis, the state passed a law in 2021 mandating that communities with MBTA transit stations or station located nearby create a zoning district that promotes the construction of multifamily housing, with the added requirement that 50% of the housing capacity must fall within a half mile of a transit station.
Creating zoning for the units does not necessarily mean they would be built. Developers would still need to meet regulations; the town would just have less discretion to deny projects, according to planning officials. The district, crafted over the last three years, spreads the density over three sections of town – downtown, Ballardvale and the area off River Road near Old River Road.
The proposed district was debated Tuesday night on the Town Meeting floor at Andover High School, but few voters lined up to oppose the measure.
“Andover is aging and we need good housing that makes it possible for young people to live in town,” she said.
Other residents were concerned about how the new zoning might change the town.
“I moved to Andover because it is not densely populated,” said Mike Tompkins. “Andover would not be the first town to vote against this overreach.”
The new district could be formally created relatively soon. The plan will now be sent to the state Attorney General’s Office, which has 90 days to approve the new zoning.
The section of the district off River Road has sparked some concern since there is little infrastructure there. The area is dominated by parking lots, corporate buildings, restaurants and a hotel.
“The river district aims to transform the area into a vibrant village-like feel,” said Jennifer Lemmerman, who chairs the volunteer group that drew up the district proposal.
The location is not within a half mile of a MBTA transit station for the commuter rail line, though it does have a bus stop.
The downtown zone would allow for up to 1,234 units with 119 in Ballardvale and 768 off River Road. The zone would allow for a unit density of up to 23.2 units per acre, with 17 units per acre for Ballardvale and 39 units per acre for the River Road area.
Select Board Chair Melissa Danisch said the district is a “measured and thoughtful response” to the state’s requirement.
“Reflects that fellow residents were listening,” she said.
Danisch also spoke of the millions of dollars in the grants the town could lose if it does not comply with the law.
State Sen. Barry Finegold, who received the opportunity to vote on MBTA zoning for the second time, also voiced his support.
“I did vote for this because it is the right thing to do,” he said. “It has become impossible to afford to come to this community.”
The proposed district has been well-received by officials. It would boost growth in town and pave the way for more private investment in infrastructure, they said.
Some residents have voiced concerns that having more people in town would put a greater strain on school services. School and planning officials have said that would not necessarily be the case with enrollment more heavily tied to turnover of current housing stock rather than the construction of new units.
The district would allow for up to 2,121 housing units – 90 more than previously allowed. Officials have said the state recommends a small buffer.
A map of the districts can be found at andoverma.gov/1069/Multifamily-Overlay-District.
A commuter rail line snakes through town and has stations in Ballardvale and the downtown.
The state law was met with a mixed response from community officials around the state. Not complying with the law could carry serious consequences.
In addition to the potential loss of grants, municipalities could also face legal action. Milton is being sued by the state after its residents chose to vote against a proposed district.
At Town Meeting, one resident advocated for only approving the district once the legality of the state requirement was settled through the lawsuit.
Andover had until the end of this year to approve the district or face consequences from the state.