Open Space and Recreation Plan - Town of North Andover

T O W N O F N O R T H A N D O V E R
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North Andover’s zoning has always heavily favored residential development over commercial or industrial
growth. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Town is zoned residential. The Master Plan stresses the need for
greater commercial and industrial growth to offset costs of providing services to the residents. The “out
country” area has seen significant development over the last ten (10) years, necessitating the building of a
new elementary school, the rebuilding and enlargement of two (2) existing elementary school, and
expansion of the Middle School. Town growth has also exceeded the capacity of the High School facility,
which was redeveloped for up to 1400 students in 2004. This growth pressure also prompted unsuccessful
override proposals for a third fire station, and a new Public Safety Center. Using Community Preservation
funding, the Town was able to renovate the historic Town Hall building downtown to ease the growth of
much needed office space. Also under stress from the accelerated growth are the Town's playing fields.
During the 1998 Town Meeting, the residents voted to acquire the Foster Farm property. This 92-acre
parcel was divided into two (3) parcels; parcel A is designated as the new site for an elementary school and
related recreational uses, managed and controlled by the School Committee. Parcels B & C, which includes
Bruin Hill are designated as open space to preserve the existing agricultural fields and historic features, and
controlled and managed by the Conservation Commission.
As in many other Massachusetts towns, much of the new residential building has resulted in large and
expensive homes. Even some homes originally marketed as empty-nester homes have become very
desirable with prices reflecting that, and have become havens for families with children. North Andover's
traditional diversity of home styles and prices has become less diverse in the past decade.
Both the Open Space and Master Plan Committees understand the importance of preserving open space,
farmland and historic scenic vistas as a brake on the inevitable expansion of residential development, and
more importantly as a cost-containment move. In attempting to pay for the needed public buildings and
services, a corridor study of Rte. 114 was planned to find appropriate space for small industrial parks and
commerce without adversely affecting adjacent residential areas or traditional rural and farmland vistas.
Studies by the American Farmland Trust "suggest that residential land uses cost more in services than they
generate in revenues, and that a mix of other land uses offsets this imbalance." (American Farmland Trust,
1992)
North Andover’s zoning has always heavily favored residential development over commercial or industrial
growth. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Town is zoned residential. The Master Plan stresses the need for
greater commercial and industrial growth to offset costs of providing services to the residents. The “out
country” area has seen significant development over the last ten (10) years, necessitating the building of a
new elementary school, the rebuilding and enlargement of two (2) existing elementary school, and
expansion of the Middle School. Town growth has also exceeded the capacity of the High School facility,
which was redeveloped for up to 1400 students in 2004. This growth pressure also prompted unsuccessful
override proposals for a third fire station, and a new Public Safety Center. Using Community Preservation
funding, the Town was able to renovate the historic Town Hall building downtown to ease the growth of
much needed office space. Also under stress from the accelerated growth are the Town's playing fields.
During the 1998 Town Meeting, the residents voted to acquire the Foster Farm property. This 92-acre
parcel was divided into two (3) parcels; parcel A is designated as the new site for an elementary school and
related recreational uses, managed and controlled by the School Committee. Parcels B & C, which includes
Bruin Hill are designated as open space to preserve the existing agricultural fields and historic features, and
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