Voices of Franklin: Mike Cirrotti's letter to Design Review & Planning Board

Dear Members of the Planning Board and Design Review Commission,

I support redeveloping Depot Plaza at 9 and 13–15 Main Street as mixed use, and thank the applicant for coming forward. 

• Getting this right would significantly improve an important stretch of downtown. 
• Getting it wrong would set the wrong precedent for future development in downtown commercial, in addition to an inappropriate building we’re stuck with for generations.

I ask the Board to work with the applicant toward three stories, brick or masonry facades with traditional detailing rather than vinyl siding, and at least one qualifying parking space per apartment. 

Addressing one concern should not justify accepting unresolved concerns about the others.

Downtown’s parking requirement is already reduced to 1.0, lowered from 1.5 and 2.0 elsewhere in town.  

Don’t discount this discount further, via waiver. The applicant’s proposed 0.8 ratio should not be entertained; yes some tenants may have zero cars, but this will be offset by others seeking to park 2 vehicles downtown (like a small family in one of the proposed three bedroom units), as well as visitors, building employees, and some commercial/retail customers inevitably using it despite signage.

The attached four-page handout presents the parking argument, including Winchester’s recent denial of a parking waiver that was below an already modest minimum.

It also highlights other residents’ three-story concepts and Franklin Center Commons II—the building containing Birchwood Bakery—as a local benchmark. 

The imagined fourth-floor image illustrates my height concern.

I recognize that these concerns may fall under different boards’ responsibilities, and I thank the Planning Board and Design Review Commission for reviewing and addressing the aspects within their respective authority. 

Please circulate this email and attachment to the full Boards and feel free to include them in the public hearing record and published materials before the next hearing.

Thank you for representing our town’s interests during this opportunity to evaluate and advance the redevelopment of an important main street property.

Thank you,

Mike Cirrotti

Franklin resident

Attached 4 page reference as mentioned

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aiiers1kzpvDap5DCCtk8zyyrdQdqPTK/view?usp=drivesdk

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html