North Andover Board Discusses Traffic Report, Sports Facility Upgrades

NORTH ANDOVER — The Planning Board reviewed a traffic monitoring report for the AvalonBay development and continued a public hearing on proposed renovations to North Andover High School’s athletic facilities at its March 18 meeting.

Representatives from VHB presented a traffic study for the residential and commercial site at 65–88 High St.

The study found traffic volumes were significantly lower than originally estimated in 2019, with no additional mitigation measures required, according to meeting minutes.

Board members noted the parking lot appears tight and expressed concern that initial projections did not include commercial traffic.

The board also reviewed updates to the athletic fields project at North Andover High School, which includes a new synthetic turf field, tennis court reconstruction, drainage work, and athletic lighting.

Gale Associates, representing the school district, shared revised plans addressing stormwater management, fencing, and lighting impacts on neighboring properties, according to meeting minutes.

Revisions include moving a gravel access drive away from wetlands, adding emergency access features, and updating the lighting plan to comply with dark-sky standards. Concerns were raised about safety netting costs and the environmental impact of lighting and runoff.

Board members scheduled a public site visit to gather more input before making a final decision.

The full meeting minutes are available on the town’s website.