Showing posts with label zoning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zoning. Show all posts

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Master Plan Subcommittees: Land Use & Zoning OR Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources

You have a choice of two Master Plan subcommittee meetings to view or attend on Monday, March 18, 2024.
  • Master Plan-Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee
Event Date:  Monday, March 18, 2024 - 7:00pm

  • Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources (OSRP) Subcommittee
Event Date:  Monday, March 18, 2024 - 7:00pm


And don't forget about the Master Plan Open House at Dean College on Saturday, March 23  https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee/pages/events

Master Plan Subcommittees: Land Use & Zoning OR Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources
Master Plan Subcommittees: Land Use & Zoning OR Open Space and Recreation, and Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources 

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Video replay available for the Economic Development Subcommittee held March 13 (video)

Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 beginning at 5:45pm. 

The agenda doc can be found -> 

The meeting was recorded and live broadcast by Franklin TV to Zoom, Comcast/Verizon, & YouTube. The YouTube video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNNjaJCSkg 

I was recording the School Committee subcommittee meeting upstairs that started at 5 PM and joined the meeting about 6:15 so my reporting won't be available immediately.


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Meet with both the Land Use & Sustainability Master Plan Subcmtes at the Library, Saturday, March 2

Come meet with the Sustainability and Land Use Subcommittees on March 2nd! From 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Land Use Master Plan Subcmte
Land Use Master Plan Subcmte

Sustainability Master Plan Subcmte
Sustainability Master Plan Subcmte



Visit the Master Plan Update Committee on the Town page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

"We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing."

Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) posted  Sun, Dec 17, 2023:
America's Housing Shortage Explained In One Chart 🏠

"We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing."
There aren't enough homes to keep up with the increase in households
"There aren't enough homes to keep up with the increase in households"



From the article quoted:
Why it matters: There aren't enough homes to keep up with the increase in households.
  • Other estimates also put the size of the country's housing shortage in the millions. 
What they're saying: "We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing," Hines managing director Ryan McCullough tells Axios.
  • Between the lines: Apartment construction surged in recent years.
Yes, but: Most newly built housing is high-end, and not widely affordable.

Shared from -> https://t.co/PJv2oBkbOh

Shared from Jonathan Berk  "Supporting a new generation of walkable neighborhoods with housing abundance, active public realms, & thriving small business ecosystems. Founder: 

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting

Franklin Town Council
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 15, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street 

1. SWEARING IN OF TOWN COUNCIL

2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Town Council Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk

3. ADOPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL PROCEDURES MANUAL
a. Resolution 23-60: Adoption of the Procedures Manual of the Franklin Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-60 - Majority Vote)

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. October 18, 2023

7. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission
i. Cynthia Garboski

8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 7:00 PM
 
a. Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038
i. License Transaction #9a

9. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. Transfer of Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License, Approval of Pledge of Liquor License, and Approval of Bhaveshkumar Patel as the Manager - Heeru Corporation d/b/a DeVita’s Market, Located at 198 East Central St., Franklin, MA 02038

10. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department
i. Legislation for Action #9f
b. Discussion: Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Ethics and Conducting a Public Meeting - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

11. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION -
a. Resolution 23-58: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY24 (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-58 - Majority Vote)
b. Resolution 23-59: Stormwater Enterprise Fund Appropriation Reduction FY24
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-59 - Majority Vote)
c. Bylaw Amendment 23-903: A Bylaw to Amend the code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 82, Fees, Municipal Service - First Reading
(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-903 to a Second Reading)
d. Bylaw Amendment 23-902: A Bylaw to Amend the Code of the Town of Franklin by Inserting Chapter 147, Snow and Ice, Removal Of - First Reading
(Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 23-902 to a Second Reading - ⅔ Majority Vote)
e. Resolution 23-61: 2024 Town Council Meeting Schedule
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-61 - Majority Vote)
f. Resolution 23-62: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,000)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-62 - Majority Vote)
g. Resolution 23-63: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($1,975)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 23-63 - Majority Vote)
h. Resolution 23-64: Establishment by Town Council of Subcommittee for Town Administrator Evaluation (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-64 - Majority Vote)
i. Resolution 23-65: Establishment by Town Council of Subcommittee for Review of Rules of Procedure of the Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-65 - Majority Vote)

12. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

13. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Economic Development Subcommittee
c. Budget Subcommittee
d. Master Plan Committee
e. Davis-Thayer Reuse Advisory Committee
f. Police Station Building Committee
g. GATRA Advisory Board
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

15. COUNCIL COMMENTS

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.

17. ADJOURN

Agenda doc and additional docs released for this meeting ->


Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting
Franklin, MA: Town Council agenda for Nov 15, 2023 meeting

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Amy Dain published her exclusionary zoning research (video)

Amy Dain (@amydain) posted at 4:25 PM on Thu, Nov 09, 2023:
In case you missed it, here is the presentation of my research on the history of exclusionary zoning in Boston's suburbs.

https://t.co/ZuzT8JttzR  or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL2rdeie2jY

 

---------
Report presentation from Amy Dain at the November 8, 2023 release event for "Exclusionary by Design: An Investigation of Zoning's Use as a Tool of Race, Class, and Family Exclusion in Boston's Suburbs, 1920s to Today," which was released as part of Boston Indicators’ Racial Wealth Equity Resource Center. Read the full report here: https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/exclusionary-by-design

Direct link to PDF report -> https://www.bostonindicators.org/-/media/indicators/boston-indicators-reports/report-files/exclusionarybydesign_report_nov_8.pdf

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/amydain/status/1722727218290336046

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

In this Talk Franklin episode, we start with the State announcement on temporary housing of migrants (audio)

FM #1050 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1050 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" session with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation in the Municipal Building on Thursday, August 24, 2023.  


Topics for this session

Notification on State arranging to place migrants in Best Western Hotel

Davis Thayer Reuse; suggestions gathered, some interesting & new

Economic Development, Small zoning change

Police Station Building Cmte, Starting work

School opens, drive safely


The recording runs about 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie & Amy on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1050-talk-franklin-08-24-23


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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator


Talk Franklin podcast page -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin 


Davis Thayer Reuse Committee agenda & links ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-08-15_davis-thayer_reuse_agenda_.pdf 

 

Notification on migrant temporary housing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.html



--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


In this Talk Franklin episode, we start with the State announcement on temporary housing of migrants (audio)
In this Talk Franklin episode, we start with the State announcement on temporary housing of migrants (audio)

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (audio)

FM #1046 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1046 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 


Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, P Sheridan, G Jones

Town Administration: J Hellen, B Taberner


Brief recap

  • Brief discussion around the proposal to change the zoning of 2 lots on King St near Fire Station 2 from residential to business. 

  • A few questions to clarify the matter considering the process and kind of business operation to be allowed were asked. These are more likely to be better understood/considered during the formal hearing process assuming the measure continues to get referred by the Town Council to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will review and make their recommendation back to the Council which in turn holds their own public hearings before voting on it.

  • One of the nuances on the timeline, by starting now, it could get completed (i.e. a final decision by the Council) before the November election, at which point if it was still in limbo, it would need to start all over.

  • The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).


The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on Aug 23, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1046-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-08-23-23



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You may access the agenda for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf 


Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-meeting-august-23rd-2023 


My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVFLdGt46ZwOiBLGURB-X6aeax6QRdU3/view?usp=drive_link 


Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/oqw7ereD3uI 


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St
map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM. All four members were present for the brief discussion around the proposal to change the zoning of 2 lots on King St near Fire Station 2 from residential to business. 

A few questions to clarify the matter considering the process and kind of business operation to be allowed were asked. These more likely to be better understood/considered during the formal hearing process assuming the measure continues to get referred by the Town Council to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will review and make their recommendation back to the Council which in turn holds their own public hearings before voting on it.

One of the nuances on the timeline, by starting now, it could get completed (i.e. a final decision by the Council) before the November election, at which point if it was still in limbo, it would need to start all over.

The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).

map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St
map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St

You may access the agenda and links for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVFLdGt46ZwOiBLGURB-X6aeax6QRdU3/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/oqw7ereD3uI

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM

The Economic Development Subcommittee will meet on August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM.

You may access the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-meeting-august-23rd-2023

-----------------

The text of the memo in the agenda:

"As you know the Town has been asked to consider rezoning to Business two residentially zoned parcels of land adjacent to the Fire Station on King Street. The Department of Planning & Community Development has developed Zoning Map Amendment 23-901 for the Town Council’s Economic Development Subcommittee’s consideration.

If approved by Town Council, Zoning Map Amendment 23-901 would amend the Town’s existing Zoning Map (Chapter 185, Section 5, of Franklin Town Code) by changing the following parcels from the Single Family Residential III zoning district to the Business zoning district. 

This small zoning map change would allow development of the two parcels for a variety of commercial uses. Uses allowed by right include: nursery, greenhouse or garden center; restaurant; other retail sales and services; office uses including banks/credit unions, medical/dental, and other professional or administrative uses; business incubator or co-working space; artisanal and craft maker space; art gallery.

Uses that may be allowed by Planning Board special permit include: motor vehicle, boat, farm implement sales (without repair service); filling or service station; vehicular service establishment; function hall or catering; hotel or motel; brewery, distillery, or winery production with tasting room.

Uses that may be allowed by Zoning Board of Appeals special permit include: animal hospital, kennel, day care, training, or grooming.

Attachments 2 through 8 (Use Regulations Schedules Parts I through 7) of the Town's Zoning Bylaw (Chapter 185 of Franklin Town Code) contain a complete list of uses that are allowed by right or may be allowed by Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning Board special permit in the Business Zoning District.

Attached are the following:
  • Bylaw Zoning Amendment 23-901; and
  • A diagram with two maps: one showing the current zoning in the area, and one showing
  • proposed Zoning Map changes.
If the Economic Development Subcommittee supports the proposed zoning map amendment, the issue should be scheduled for a Town Council meeting in the near future for further consideration. Please let me know if you have questions or require additional information."

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - August 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Saturday, June 17, 2023

The #8 episode in the Franklin For All series gets into Zoning and New Growth - 06/05/23 (audio)

FM #1014 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1014 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, and Cobi Frongillo. We were joined by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer for this discussion on new growth. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, June 5, 2023. Tom joined us via the Zoom conference bridge.


Consider this a continuation of the downtown zoning discussion from the “Franklin For All” project which is underway with review and discussion at the Economic Development Subcommittee Plus meetings that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair.  


The conversation centered on new growth and how the zoning decisions have a relationship with the budget. 


The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let’s listen in. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1014-franklin-for-all-8-new-growth-06-05-23



--------------


The collection of Franklin For All zoning discussions can be found here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/franklin-for-all-housing-zoning-podcast.html


The value-per-acre visual that Cobi mentioned 

https://twitter.com/CobiFrongillo/status/1569899170042978304 


The "Growth Ponzi Scheme" Cobi mentioned

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/8/28/the-growth-ponzi-scheme-a-crash-course 


Town Budget page for FY 2024 ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 


Town Council budget hearings for FY 2024

Finance Committee budget hearings for FY 2024


The “must listen’ intro as mentioned with the 30 minute overview of the revenue projections https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/franklinites-spend-few-minutes-with.html 


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


The #8 episode in the Franklin For All series gets into Zoning and New Growth - 06/05/23 (audio)
The #8 episode in the Franklin For All series gets into Zoning and New Growth - 06/05/23 (audio)