Downtown Revitalization Series: Franklin For All podcast episodes - part 2 of 2

This is the second part of the 2-part post to share the 8 podcast episodes created discussing the Franklin For All Project. What wasn't completed by this project was mostly incorporated in the 2025 Master Plan.

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#5 - Conversation on Franklin's walkability & insights from Worcester (audio)

FM #962 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 962 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo and Dean College Chancellor Ed Augustus. 

Brad, Melanie, Ed and I were in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Cobi joined us for the discussion via Zoom.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-962-walkability-worcester-insights-03-15-23

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#6 -  A "Franklin For All" discussion on buildable & affordable - 04/12/23 (audio)

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo and Joe Halligan. We were all in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. 

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.  

We were joined by Joe Halligan for this session to include his insights as a former Planning Board member, Franklin developer, and recently appointed to the Master Plan Update Committee. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-974-franklin-for-all-discusses-buildable-affordable-04-12-23

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#7 - The Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, and Sam Williams. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Cobi 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.  

We were joined by Sam Williams for this session to include his insights as the Vice-Chair of the Design Review Commission.  

The conversation centered on design aspects of the ongoing Franklin For All discussion. Design Review had come up in a couple of the prior sessions so we decided to spend some time on it here with Sam. 

Audio file ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1005-franklin-for-all-7-talks-about-design-review-05-30-23

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#8 - Franklin For All discusses 'new growth' and the relationship of zoning to the budget
 

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 Tuesday, May 30, 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. 

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1014-franklin-for-all-8-new-growth-06-05-23

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Downtown Revitalization Series: Franklin For All podcast episodes - part 1 of 2

I had an internal debate on what order to list these episodes and decided that the chronological order was probably best. You can listen to any or all as you choose. 

#1 - This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights on process and accessory dwelling units - 03/15/22 (audio)  (39 minutes)

FM #755 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 755 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with several members of the Economic Development “Plus” Committee to talk about the Franklin For All process. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-755-franklin-for-all-discussion-03-15-22

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#2 -Downtown Zoning Discussion with Councilors Hamblen & Frongillo - 12/19/22 (audio)  (45 minutes)

FM #904 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 904 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Town Councilors Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. We met in the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, Dec 19, 2022.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-904-downtown-zoning-discussion-12-19-22

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#3 - Downtown Zoning Discussion with D'Errico, Frongillo & Hamblen - 01/18/23 (audio)  (60 minutes)

FM #922 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 922 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Joel D’Errico, Melanie Hamblen and Cobi Frongillo. Joel, Melanie and I were in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Cobi joined us for almost all of the discussion via phone.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-922-town-of-franklin-downtown-zoning-discussion-01-18-23

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#4 - Listen to this discussion on housing, zoning, and getting the process to produce what we need (audio) (107 minutes)

FM #942 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 942 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. Brad, Melanie and I were in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Cobi joined us for the discussion via Zoom.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-942-franklin-housing-zoning-discussion-02-08-23

Downtown Revitalization Series: Starting with the 1983-1984 MAPC study

During 1983-1984 a group of Franklin folks worked with Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on a Downtown Franklin Plan, not unlike the Franklin For All report that came out in 2022.

As the UMass Boston students will be reviewing a number of planning documents in preparation for their study per the Economic Development Subcommittee, key sections of those prior planning docs (Franklin For All, Master Pln, etc.) will be shared here.

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"INTROOUCTION

Franklin is located in the southwestern corner of the Boston metropolitan area and is typical of a small New England community. It has maintained a traditional character and among those features which have survived are examples of period architecture, Dean Junior College, and a friendly, small-town atmosphere. However, Franklin is beginning to feel pressure from modern day changes.

With the completion of Interstate Route 495, the terminus of the commuter rail line located in the heart of the downtown and the beginning of development expansion in the area, Franklin is changing.

The demands of modern transportation and marketing have been disruptive to the fabric of the community. The ability of towns like Franklin to adapt to the rapid growth and change will be a major determining factor in the quality of their future.

The town has made an effort to meet this challenge. A committee of townspeople, made up of merchants, officials, bankers, and citizens, has worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to develop a comprehensive program of town center improvements.

The Franklin Center Revitalization Committee has been active for just over a year now and much has been accomplished. The fundamental outlines of a committee endorsed plan are in place. By direct vote or by consensus the Committee has addressed a wide range of questions and embraced approaches to their solution.

The plan is designed around the market study - the physical changes envisioned in the center are in support of its character as a place to live and work and shop, not vice-versa. The market recommendations contain a number of special actions that will allow the center to function as a better, more organized unit and to permit it to serve its patrons and compete with other areas better. Without attention to this area (marketing and organization) it is unlikely that physical or other changes alone will make much long-term difference.

Physical changes to the center have been designed in support of these goals. Complaints about traffic and parking have been heeded and effective solutions proposed. Techniques of urban design and planning have been applied to help the center both look and function as a more vital place, responding to the character and values of the community it serves.

Implementation of this program will be a major undertaking and will constitute the core of the Committee's work for the future. There is no simple, "quick-fix" way to go about it - no magic wand of planning, no miracle grant from the Feds to do the job. It will only be accomplished through hard work and close cooperation between the private and public sectors in accomplishing the l1undreds of individual actions that will make up the final shape of your center. Frustrations are likely to mount as approvals and agreements stretch out for years when it seems like they should happen at once. But there is no easy way. There is only agreeing on an approach and pursuing it with energy and in a cooperative spirit."

You can find the PDF of this intro section here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sd7qwmutd90o-sDJcBbsOpF-wmV3WfWk/view?usp=drive_link

You can find the PDF of the original doc here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FQhstrovIwV4UNBj4Sw09h_h8ExMsibY/view?usp=sharing

Economic Development moves proposal to reduce parking minimums to Town Council (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the Council Chambers. Three members were in the chamber, one remote. 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztRXEC8UgQw

The meeting agenda and supporting documents for this session -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/april_10_2024_edc_meeting_agenda_final_fixed.pdf

Quick recap:

• Bryan Taberner provided an update on moving to compliance with the MBTA requirements and per the update from MAPC, changing the commercial mixed use parking requirements would provide sufficient units to become compliant
• The initial proposal would be to remove commercial parking minimums for mixed use, keeping residential parking minimums. This would not change the other single use commercial requirement for parking minimums. The calculation would produce enough units to be compliant with MBTA community requirements. It would also require a definition of "mixed used", something already recommended from the Franklin For All project
• The ensuing discussion revolved around removing parking minimums (period). arguments put forward on both sides, ultimately agreeing to move the proposal as amended to remove all parking minimums for discussion at the Town Council and if consensus to further the process by referring to the Planning Board, etc.

My notes captured via Twitter are in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZBuN7285kwDl9mt_RnGF3PfkCk36saMm/view?usp=drive_link

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

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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

• May 24 & 25 (budget hearings) - recap & audio links ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/audio-recordings-for-1st-of-2-budget.html       https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/town-council-approves-fy-24-budget_01384873643.html     

• recap & video links ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/town-council-approves-fy-24-budget.html  

Finance Committee budget hearings for FY 2024

• May 11 - (FY 2024 budget hearing) public safety (police, fire, dispatch) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/finance-cmte-completes-fy-2024-budget.html 

• May 10 - (FY 2024 budget hearing) schools (FPS, Tri-County, Norfolk Aggie) recap, audio & video links -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/finance-committee-budget-hearing-2-gets.html 

• May 8 - (FY 2024 budget hearing) general government and DPW (enterprise accounts (sewer, water, solid waste & stormwater) - recap, audio & video links ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/fincom-gets-fy-2024-summary-from-town.html 

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 

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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!

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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 Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)

FM #1005 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1005 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the housing and zoning discussion with Brad Chafee, Melanie Hamblen, Cobi Frongillo, and Sam Williams. Most of us were in the Franklin TV Studio on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Cobi 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.  

We were joined by Sam Williams for this session to include his insights as the Vice-Chair of the Design Review Commission.  

The conversation centered on design aspects of the ongoing Franklin For All discussion. Design Review had come up in a couple of the prior sessions so we decided to spend some time on it here with Sam. 

The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 58 minutes. Let’s listen in. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1005-franklin-for-all-7-talks-about-design-review-05-30-23

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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

Design Review page  https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission 

Design Review Guidelines (established in 2005)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/guidelines.pdf 

Design Review Best Practices (as updated in 2016) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/best_development_guidebook_sept_2016_1.pdf 

  

Sign guidelines mentioned but more likely to be part of a future discussion

https://www.franklinma.gov/design-review-commission/pages/sign-guidelines 

Note: the twice monthly Design Review meetings are usually scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month. I personally haven’t been able to attend as this schedule conflicts with the School Committee meetings.

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

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 Franklin For All series continues with a discussion on Design Review - 05/30/23 (audio)