Franklin Matters: FM #202 - Economic Development Subcommittee

Sunday, February 9, 2020

FM #202 - Economic Development Subcommittee - Feb 5, 2020 (audio)

FM #202

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 202 in the series, that we are now producing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

The Economic Development Subcommittee chaired by Councilor Melanie Hamblen met on Wednesday, Feb 5, 2020 at 5:30 PM.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Councilor Andy Bissanti (member), Councilor Glenn Jones (member), Community Development and Planning Director Bryan Taberner and Councilor Eamon Earls (member - arrived late) spoke during the meeting. Assistant to Town Administrator Chrissy Whelton, Admin Assistant Alicia Alleyne, and Joseph Halligan (Vice-Chair Planning Board) participated but did not speak.

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer was also present for part of the meeting but did not actively participate to avoid the Open Meeting Law requirements (can’t have more than 4 Councilors in a meeting without having a Town Council agenda posted).

Discussion items
1. EDC Goals Prioritization Review

an extended discussion around the items on the Town Council goals listing that were aligned for the EDC and a few others added to it which you'll hear during the discussion

2. Lot Line Clean up #3: Areas near Pleasant, Chestnut & Brook Streets

a continuation of the plot line clean up effort so each plot would be contained within a single zone as opposed to being split over a couple of them

Get a copy of this agenda on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-02-05_edc_agenda.pdf

Without further ado, here is the recording for the meeting approx 80 minutes

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB2FWC9X

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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!

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Town Council Meeting

2020 and 2021 Goals

Town Council Workshop

January 8, 2020

EDC List

Economic Development - To the EDC

Revise Solar Bylaw in Residential districts - in process.
Continue Lot Line "Clean ups" around town - in process.
Zoning Changes

lnclusionary Zoning bylaw proposal to stabilize the Town's Affordable Housing Inventory with the state to ensure we maintain 10% affordable housing stock and preserving local zoning -- March 4th EDC

Master Plan Update before the Council -- Expected June/July 2020

Draft and Adopt state Affordable Housing Plan

Residential 5 and C-1 density

The Franklin Crossing Neighborhood District rezone

Approve Snow Removal bylaw on sidewalks - To review per TC April/May
Present Economic Profile to the Town Council - EDC to evaluate or implement ideas based off of the recommendations in the final report - Tentative March Presentation
Ferrara Parking Lot Lease for continued commuter rail and free municipal parking in downtown -- in process.
Nu-Style (Grove Street) options
Review BioTechnology Bylaw (EDC)
Analyze Food requirement and closing hours for restaurants (EDC)
Review and cleanup Marijuana Overlay District
Revise Over 55 Overlay, including open space requirement (EDC)
Monitor Mixed Innovation Business District (EDC)
MBTA parking Lot in Downtown