Wenham ZBA Continues Gordon College Music Center Hearing Pending Drainage Peer Review

WENHAM -- April 29, 2026, Wenham Zoning Board continues Gordon College music center hearing, orders $4,900 drainage review. The Wenham Zoning Board of Appeals heard an initial presentation on Gordon College's proposed Adams Center for Music, a 15,200-square-foot building with a 500-seat performance hall planned for the interior of the Gordon campus off Grapevine Road, before continuing the hearing to May 27, 2026. The board authorized a stormwater drainage peer review by Weston and Sampson Engineers at a cost of $4,900, which Gordon College representative Chris Imming agreed to fund by check the following week. Civil engineer Jacob Murray of Waterfield Design Group described the building as well within all required setbacks, with an underground infiltration system planned to handle increased stormwater runoff; the board noted the peer review must be completed before any vote on the merits is possible. The design team also acknowledged a letter from Hamilton-Wenham Dark Sky raising lighting concerns and committed to submitting a full illumination plan before the next meeting.