As of the writing of this article, three years have passed since local landmark the Hilltop Steakhouse closed its doors, and it has been more than a year since the restaurant was demolished.
By Leah Dearborn
Many in the community saw the closure of the Hilltop after 52 years of operation as the end of an era. In some ways, they may be correct. The implementation of new zoning regulations on Route 1 in May by a unanimous Saugus Town Meeting vote has been slowly changing the face of the road.
Now, developers are focusing on more pedestrian-friendly mixed use—including at the two properties that sheltered the town’s most iconic critters. The cattle pasture outside the Hilltop will be turned into a living, shopping and dining destination, while the mini-golf course long guarded by the orange dinosaur (and the adjacent property) is planned to be replaced by 250 one-bedroom apartments.
So far, AvalonBay’s plans for the site include a mixed-use development with apartments and a retail component. Like many of the new developments along Route 1, however, change is still in the preliminary stages.
“It’s about increasing density in an area that previously was just a lot of parking lots. Parking lots are not necessarily the best use of space,” said Town Planner Krista Leahy about the zoning about the zoning changes. “Everyone has concerns about development, but it’s a chance to bring more funding into town.”
The town is also taking steps to avoid alienating old residents as it brings in new ones. Buffer zones are a part of the development restrictions on Route 1, with a required minimum of 50 feet from existing plot lines. Leahy said the AvalonBay developers are not allowing public access to Forest Street, which runs parallel to the main route. On a narrow, windy street with a number of old trees, the update should curb fears regarding an increase in traffic as the result of development.
Leahy said that although many of the new projects along Route 1 are still in the earliest stages, the new zoning regulations have already helped to attract additional developers to the area who want to bring attention to their projects. The road’s position en route to Boston also makes it a convenient stop for travelers.
“It’s about increasing density in an area that previously was just a lot of parking lots. Parking lots are not necessarily the best use of space,” said Town Planner Krista Leahy about the zoning changes. “Everyone has concerns about development, but it’s a chance to bring more funding into town.”
The town is also taking steps to avoid alienating old residents as it brings in new ones. Buffer zones are a part of the development restrictions on Route 1, with a required minimum of 50 feet from existing plot lines. Leahy said the AvalonBay developers are not allowing public access to Forest Street, which runs parallel to the main route. On a narrow, windy street with a number of old trees, the update should curb fears regarding an increase in traffic as the result of development.
Leahy said that although many of the new projects along Route 1 are still in the earliest stages, the new zoning regulations have already helped to attract additional developers to the area who want to bring attention to their projects. The road’s position en route to Boston also makes it a convenient stop for travelers.
The other site that has attracted attention on the strip is Essex Landing, designed by BMA Architectural Group and located at the former Route 1 Miniature Golf & Batting Cages. Like the Hilltop site, it’s going to be a mixed-use facility featuring two hotels, retail space and 250 one bedroom
apartments in four buildings.
Leahy, who began her role at the end of August alongside Stephen Cole, the town’s new planning and development director, hopes that the future of Route 1 will also be a little bit greener.
“A big thing that we’re really trying to encourage is sustainable development, trying to bring nature back. Saugus is so much more than Route 1, but Route 1 is what people passing through see.”
Leahy explained that the general idea is to make the appearance of Route 1 more consistent with the rest of town. She said part of that process is encouraging the use of plant life in the fronts of buildings to soften some of their harder edges. The plants also serve a practical purpose in that they help reduce flooding.
The town is trying to encourage what Leahy called “more eyes on the streets,” meaning buildings with abundant windows so that passerby aren’t just
looking at blank walls. She said that it’s something they received some push-back on from WoodSpring Suites ExtendedStay Hotel, which had some difficulty incorporating windows due to the shape and positioning of the building.
In the end, however, it became a lesson in compromise. The town’s former economic development officer, Bob Luongo, spoke up and eventually a solution was reached.
“Zoning is a living document,” said Leahy. “It’s not necessarily everything they wanted or everything the town wanted, but it shows that the town is willing to work with developers.”
