Lowell development plan seeks expedited review

The city of Lowell said that an ambitious plan to redevelop the Hamilton Canal District is the first project to file for environmental approval from the state under a new streamlined review and permitting process.

The city hopes the project will transform "the gateway to Downtown Lowell" through plans to construct environmentally friendly buildings along with the adaptive re-use of old mill buildings.

Plans call for the creation of more than 600 mixed-income housing units along three canals as well as 350,000 square feet of commercial development and more than 50,000 square feet of retail; the developer is Trinity Hamilton Canal Limited Partnership, an affiliate of Boston developer Trinity Financial.

The result of the state's new expedited permitting process is expected to be a better coordinated, more predictable, and more efficient permitting process for priority developments, city officials said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)