New plans filed, Historic Board meeting date set
474 signatures strong. Thank you.
The Lowell Historic Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed development at 675 Andover Street.
📅 When: Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM 📍 Where: Mayor's Reception Room, City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell 📋 Case Number: ASND-27-1
This is a separate hearing from the Planning Board, which has been continued to November 2. The Historic Board will evaluate whether the proposed construction is appropriate for the Andover Street Historic District.
We also learned that the applicant filed a second Special Permit application on October 2, this time for lot width relief that the city's own engineering staff had to identify for them. The Planning Board will now hear two Special Permit applications on November 2.
Additionally, the applicant has revised the site plan to include a curved driveway configuration and a new stormwater system that were not part of the original filing. You can view all project documents online:
Historic Board materials: https://www.lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/3970
Planning Board materials: https://lowellma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/3947
What you can do right now:
1. Attend the hearing on October 19 at 6:00 PM. Public presence matters. You don't have to speak — just being there shows the Board that the community is watching.
2. Submit written comments by 4:00 PM on October 19 to the following:
Historic Board Administrator:
Stephen Stowell — sstowell@lowellma.gov (cc: dricker@lowellma.gov, mbrundage@lowellma.gov)
You don't need to write a legal brief. A few sentences explaining why you oppose the project is enough. Tell them you're concerned about the impact on the historic district, the fire safety issues, or the precedent it would set. The Board members will be reviewing this application before October 19. Your email, in your own words, ensures they hear directly from the community — not just from attorneys.
3. Share this petition. We're at 474 signatures. Help us get to 500 before October 19.
4. Talk to your neighbors. If you live on or near Andover Street, ask if they've heard about this project. Some people still don't know.
The Planning Board hearing is November 2 at 6:30 PM — two Special Permit applications will be heard.
Thank you for standing with us. This neighborhood is worth protecting.