NORTH ANDOVER — The Zoning Board of Appeals last night granted a variance that will permit the Pentucket Bank of Haverhill to build a branch office adjacent to the Butcher Boy plaza.
The vote was 4-1, with Chairman Albert Manzi III, Ellen McIntyre, Richard Byers and Allan Cuscia in favor and Paul Koch opposed.
Pentucket Bank CEO Scott Cote, who attended the hearing, called the vote a “first step” toward building the branch. The bank will lease the building from Angus Realty Trust, which owns the Butcher Boy site.
William Yameen, owner of the trust, who also attended the hearing, said he was pleased with the outcome.
Attorney Matthew Caffrey of Andover, who represents Angus Realty Trust, pointed out the project still needs the approval of the Conservation Commission and Planning Board.
Kenneth Cram, a traffic engineer, said the bank branch will not add an overwhelming number of vehicles to Routes 133 and 125. Butcher Boy is on Route 125, just north of the intersection with Route 133.
Richard Barthelmes, an environmental engineer, said an underground detention system will prevent an increase in the volume of water runoff from the property.
Byers, who made the motion to grant the variance, said, “It will be great to get another business in town.”
While the Pentucket Bank is moving forward with its plans to build the branch at the Butcher Boy plaza, the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank is very close to opening an office near Main Street and Route 125.
The Lowell 5 branch occupies what used to be the location of a Mobil gas station. The station sat vacant for several years before owner Louis Minicucci had the structure demolished and the Lowell 5 began construction of the branch six months ago.
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