All over the Merrimack Valley the towns are gearing up for Town Meeting. The town budget is probably the hottest issue issue faced by voters. But other issues also need consideration.   The Eagle-Tribune’s Jonathan Phelps writes this morning about an overlay plan for the River Road/Route 93 district that could appease the complains of  both area residents and area workers.  “Amenties” are on the table. Zoned for single family homes, hotels, offices and open space, there are few conveniences readily available. While there are questions about the readiness of the plan, the  residents could be considering the overlay at the upcoming Andover Town Meeting.

ANDOVER — Planning Director Paul Materazzo said employees from many businesses on River Road feel starved for services in the industrial zoned area of town.

But residents have petitioned an article for Town Meeting to create an overlay district to allow service-focused and mixed-use development along River Road adjacent to and east of Interstate 93. The proposed River Road Business Overlay District could open the door for supermarkets, coffee shops, restaurants, housing developments and other retail stores, which are not allowed under the current industrial zoning.

Read the full article here at the eagletribune.com.

Note:

The long-awaited Lowell Junction project is not far from this area. Here’s a link to a related article.