265, 277, 281, 287, 2871/2 Elm St - Site Plan Review

What is proposed

Dale Development LLC has submitted a site plan review application for a residential project called "Rocky Hill" on Elm Street. The proposal comprises two neighborhoods: a South Neighborhood of 85 for‑sale homes (a mix of single‑family, duplex, triplex and four‑plex buildings) and a North Neighborhood of 296 rental units organized in 29 apartment buildings, for a total of 381 residences. Ten percent of the residences are designated as Affordable Housing under the project’s zoning commitments. The plan also includes community buildings, formal greens, pocket parks, trails, and associated parking and utilities.

Where and how big

The site covers multiple parcels on the east side of Elm Street (addresses shown as 265, 277, 281, 287, 287R and 287.5 Elm Street; Map 68 Lots 12, 13, 15, 20; Map 80 Lots 3 & 4). The project narrative describes the site as approximately 65 acres. The proposal is presented under the Rocky Hill Multi‑Family Overlay District (RH‑MFOD) and follows the Residential Pattern Book referenced in that overlay district.

Scale, design and amenities

The South Neighborhood emphasizes a traditional streetscape with front porches, front yards, and rear‑loaded garages. The North Neighborhood is organized around a village green and a community campus; apartment buildings are described as ranging from about 8 to 36 units each. Amenities shown in the submittal for the North Neighborhood include a clubhouse, a recreation fieldhouse, a pool and grilling area, pickleball courts, a dog park and outdoor gathering spaces. Substantial portions of the property perimeter are intended to remain wooded open space subject to conservation easements, with internal sidewalks and trail connections linking greens and pocket parks.

Parking, access and transportation

Parking is proposed as a mix of individual garages, surface lots and on‑street spaces. Submitted figures report approximately 2.87 parking spaces per residence in the South Neighborhood and about 1.68 spaces per residence in the North Neighborhood; seven spaces adjacent to the roundabout are shown for public trail access. Primary vehicular access is a single boulevard from Elm Street opposite the Hampton Inn driveway; an emergency access route is shown via an existing easement through the Amesbury Animal Hospital property. A roundabout within the boulevard separates the two neighborhoods and provides a public trail parking area. The applicant has submitted a Transportation Impact Assessment and has coordinated with the City on potential corridor improvements, including a joint MassWorks grant application and anticipated MassDOT materials for Route 110/I‑95 corridor work.

Environmental, utilities and regulatory considerations

The submission states that buildings and site elements meet or exceed RH‑MFOD and Wetlands Protection Ordinance setbacks (25 feet minimum from wetlands noted). Stormwater management, erosion control and groundwater recharge measures are described in accompanying stormwater reports. Utilities are proposed to be installed underground. The applicant filed a MEPA Environmental Notification Form (ENF) in May 2024 (certificate issued July 2024) and indicates a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) will be filed as required. The application lists local and state approvals the applicant intends to pursue, including site plan review, a definitive subdivision approval, a stormwater permit, a Wetlands Order of Conditions (Notice of Intent), and a demolition delay review. An Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan is noted to implement the affordable housing requirement.

Status

A site plan review application was filed with the Amesbury Planning Board on August 11, 2025. The project participated in a Technical Review Committee meeting in February 2025 and has engaged with the Design Review Committee; a formal DRC application was submitted in August 2025. The applicant reports continuing state and local permitting work including the MEPA FEIR and wetlands permitting as part of the approval sequence.