Change at Former Meadow Walk Project Aimed At Improving Retail Foot Traffic

The Planning Board approved this week a minor change in the main roadway design of the Market Street project to improve retail foot traffic. The project is soon to be under construction in Lynnfield by National Development of Newton.

"With this new design, it will be easier for mothers with their large SUVs to now pull up and park an have enough room to get out the stroller and kids and go directly in to shop," said Theodore Tye, a  National Development representative.

Formerly known as Meadow Walk at Lynnfield until National Development reconfigured its financing to recover from the near collapse of the economy in late 2008, Market Street’s main street design allowed for the typical roadway. The company wanted to change that.

"We have the typical narrow roadway going down the middle of the project with parking on both sides," Tye said. "We’ve found that we can improve that with a wider roadway with a vegetated center island. This change is allowed under our minor changes clause and won’t significantly alter the plan."

Tye explained the design change would improve customer flow to the retail shops planned for the new mall in Lynnfield.

"I wish we had known about this at our other project in Florida and the Midwest," he said.

Planning Board Chairman Richard O’Neil Jr. asked if the change would alter the plan’s overall parking configuration and how it would effect abutters. Board member Charlie Willis expressed some concern over lost parking spaces in the public area.

National’s Tye said that the project required a minimum of 1,875 public parking spaces, and the project has allotted more than 2,300. The few spots lost by making this change allows National to use the design under the minor change clause in the company's agreement with the town.

The change will not affect the residential-facing side of the project, Tye said. "The berm will not be altered. Nothing will change on this side," Tye said as he pointed to the part of the plan that faces a residential area.

With everyone in agreement that the street design would  allow more access to the retail businesses, the board seemed comfortable with the change.

In other business, the Planning Board approved the 470 Salem St., Stoney Ridge subdivision after learning the Conservation Commission would  send a notice of intent that Stoney Ridge has complied with drainage concerns and created a plan to control the storm water runoff.

The Fire Department approved the installation of sprinkler systems in each new home as a substitute fire protection for removing the fire hydrant currently at the site.

Asked about highway access, Peter Ogren of Hayes Engineering in Wakefield said that the company would  receive a letter from the State Highway Department explaining that highway access is only as an option. It is not required for this project.

Stoney Ridge’s planners gave the Peabody Municipal Light Company an easement on to that part of the property through which they run power lines. The easement will allow the light company to maintain the grounds and control the brush and foliage that grows in there, Ogren said.