‘Transformative’ development proposed
15-22 Central Square could undergo major changes
CHELMSFORD >> About 40 people crammed into the Town Offices Wednesday night to hear about several proposed development projects presented to the Planning Board.
One such development, which has simultaneously drawn ire and excitement from residents on social media, is proposed for 15-22 Central Square, a strip of several retail businesses near the Town Common.
Project leaders explained the extent of their plans before the board in an effort to obtain a Village Center Overlay District applicability finding.
The site plans include development of 10 residential units on the second floor — six two-bedroom and four one-bedroom units — as well as a combined 8,070 square feet for first-floor offices, retail businesses and restaurants, the last of which could accommodate 100 people. There would also be 47 available parking spaces, 19 of which are shared on the neighboring Grist Mill Chelmsford apartment complex property.
The existing brick sidewalk, facing Central Square, will remain, but schematics of the proposed development indicate the buildings will be completely redesigned and appear more modern.
Illustrations provided do not show the current telephone poles on the street, which architect Michael Kirn, of Linear Development LLC, called using an “artistic license.” Ideally, they’d like to conceal those wires underground, but it’s not being considered at the moment, he added. The stores abut Beaver Brook.
Philip Eliopoulos, a Chelmsford attorney on this project, said they plan to demolish the existing buildings on the site. The project would be carried out in phases to minimize disruption, but details of how long business owners would be dis
placed were not provided.
Eliopoulos pointed to the 2020 Master Plan and said the town set forth goals to strengthen the retail, commercial and housing spaces here to attract new businesses and jobs, respond to the impacts of the pandemic and redevelop old properties in town.
Sites like the historic Fiske House and 11 Cushing Place — which became Grist Mill Chelmsford — are prime examples of recent redevelopment, he added.
“The town’s coming along, doing some of these goals, and I really think this project, in my opinion, would be a transformative project for the center of our village and maybe be a project of a lifetime,” Eliopoulos said. “We may not see a project like this in our generation.”
Board member Timothy Shanahan said the project is “exactly what we’re looking for.”
Vice Chair Deirdre Connolly agreed, stating the project “seems made to order” for the Center Village district, but expressed concern over the look of the buildings and how they fit into the “historic character of the downtown.” Sewer capacity — an issue that continues to plague the town — is also of concern, Connolly said.
The current stores will have a chance to move into the new development once it’s developed, with one potential caveat.
“We can’t promise the same rents,” Eliopoulos said with a laugh.
The owner of the Chelmsford Gift Shop, located at 15 Central Square, has reportedly already spoken with developers about moving to a smaller space. Beadles Bead Boutique, Easy Housekeeping Shop, Lappy Fix and several other shops also occupy that strip.
Other board members vocalized their support and asked very few additional questions concerning the VCOD applicability of the plans. With that, the board approved to classify the project as a VCOD 5-0 with one abstention. A date has not been set for continued discussions on the project.
Though the board appeared excited about revamping a high-traffic area, residents have made sure to express their thoughts on the project online.
Prior to the meeting, people took to the Chelmsford News Facebook group to sound off in a thread of nearly 190 comments.
“A no vote is needed from all residents on this and any other future projects like it,” one resident wrote. “Enough with the apartments and condos and the overburdening of our towns systems and infrastructure.”
Many felt similarly, fearing