Franklin Matters: Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District proposed

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District proposed

The text of the memo introducing the set of zoning bylaw changes to create a Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District. This is targeted to control and enable reuse of the Clark Culter property. This is on the agenda for the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Dec 19.

"As you know the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has been working on rezoning concepts for the former Clark Cutler McDermott (CCM) property on West Central, Fisher and Hayward Streets. CCM went bankrupt after decades at that location, and the property is being managed and marketed by a court-appointed Trustee.
The industrial and warehouse/distribution property is currently underutilized, and the Trustee has struggled to obtain a buyer. In addition to the CCM properties, there are several adjacent industrially-zoned parcels that are either in need of redevelopment or currently being utilized for non-Industrial uses. DPCD recommends rezoning seven industrial parcels on or near Fisher and Hayward Streets. Attached is a diagram showing the in the area, and a list of parcels proposed for rezoning.

This cluster of industrially-zoned properties is surrounded by residential neighborhoods that could be negatively impacted if any of the seven industrial parcels were utilized for heavy manufacturing, which is allowed by right in the Town’s Industrial Zoning District. For this reason DPCD proposes to rezone the seven parcels from the Industrial Zoning District to a zoning district that would eliminate heavy industrial uses and permit uses that would have less impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods.

DPCD has struggled with rezoning to a current Zoning District; for that reason a new Zoning District has been drafted. DPCD proposes creation of a new Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District that allows the current level of manufacturing and warehouse/distribution uses at the CCM properties, allows for a greater range of uses by-right or by special permit, and increases the likelihood of the property being redeveloped.

Given the area’s proximity to the Downtown and the Franklin Cultural District, DPCD has included a wide variety of uses that could support reinvestment and reuse of the properties for light industrial, commercial, arts and cultural, institutional, or entertainment uses. Some of the uses DPCD recommends allowing by-right or by Planning Board special permit include art galleries, performance venues, studio space, artisanal or craft maker space, research and development, business incubator and co-working space, restaurants, cafes, services and retail.

Attached are the following for consideration:

Diagram of the area showing the current and proposed zoning;
List of parcels proposed for rezoning from Industrial (I) to the new Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District;
A summary of the Zoning By-law Amendments required to create the new Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District, including mention of the more important Zoning Bylaw changes being proposed; and
The following Zoning Bylaw Amendments:

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829: Districts Enumerated. Creation of Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Use Regulations

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Dimensional Regulations

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832: Changes to §185-20. Signs, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District

Zoning Map Amendment 19-833: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to Mixed Business Innovation an Area on or near Fisher and Hayward Streets

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District.

If the Economic Development Committee supports the rezoning concept DPCD recommends they refer Zoning By-law Amendments 18-829 through 19-834 to the Town Council for a presentation, and eventually referral to the Planning Board for a public hearing. Please let me know if you have questions or require additional information for clarification.

Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) Zoning District proposed

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829: District Enumerated-Creation of Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District-Referral to the Planning Board ( Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-829 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830: Use Regulations- Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District -Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-830 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831: Mixed Business Innovation Zone Dimensional Regulations -Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-831 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10i. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832: Changes to §185-20. Signs, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District -Referral to the Planning Board ( Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-832 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10j. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833: Zoning Map Changes from Industrial to Mixed Business Innovation on Area on or near Fisher and Hayward Streets -Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-833 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))
10k. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834: Changes to Sign District Overlay Map, Mixed Business Innovation Zoning District -Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 19-834 to the Planning Board- Majority Vote (5))