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.

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 Chancellor Ed Augustus for this session to include his insights as former Town Manager of Worcester, MA and the lessons from the Worcester experience that might be considered for Franklin. 

The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 57 minutes. Let’s listen in.

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

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Principles of walkability: useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. Watch the TED Talk with Jeff Speck - https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_speck_the_walkable_city

Jane Jacobs writer and activist on urban design wrote her book in 1961  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_and_Life_of_Great_American_Cities  

Center for Living City is an organization that continues in the spirit of her work ->    https://centerforthelivingcity.org/janejacobs/#jane-and-the-center

Other podcast episodes in this series:

4th discussion with Melanie and Cobi included Brad (FM #942) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/02/listen-to-this-discussion-on-housing.html 

3rd discussion with Melanie and Cobi included Joel D’errico  (FM #922) ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/downtown-zoning-discussion-with-derrico.html 

2nd discussion with Melanie and Cobi in December (FM #904) -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/downtown-zoning-discussion-with.html 

1st discussion on Franklin For All project -> (FM # 755) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/this-franklin-for-all-discussion.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!

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

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

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

The Economic Development meeting on accessory dwelling units is available from Franklin TV (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee Plus met on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 5:30 pm as scheduled.

Please find the agenda and links for the meeting on accessory dwellings here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-03-01_edc_agenda_.pdf

The Franklin TV recording is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/AYL8p4CoVEA?feature=share

I was recording the Board of Health meeting and the School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting so I'll be listening to the recording to find out what I missed.

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - March 1, 2023

Franklin For All housing & zoning podcast series (audio)

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. 

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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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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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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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

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Inclusionary zoning moved to Town Council by unanimous Economic Development Steering Cmte vote (audio)

FM #926 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 926 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCmte Plus meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. 

• Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, B Wierling, G Rondeau, B Hunchard
• Town Administration: J Hellen, M Cerel, B Taberner, A Love (remote)

Discussion on the Inclusionary Zoning proposal and in particular items on the Use Regulations Schedule. After multiple votes to narrow down the choices around a couple of items in the table, agreement was reached and the full inclusionary zoning referral was made unanimously.

The recording runs two hours and thirty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development SubCmte Plus discussion on January 25, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-926-economic-development-subcmte-plus-mtg-01-25-23

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The agenda doc for the meeting can be found here ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_jan_25_2023.pdf

The Franklin TV replay for this session is available ->   https://youtu.be/HukEWlkid6Q

My notes via Twitter can be found in one PDF here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/19389zqBsU2LEnQMp64-WnpJKMFJHB5W8/view?usp=share_link

 

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

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"

calculator put together by Planning Dept for discussion at meeting

Inclusionary zoning moved to Town Council by unanimous Economic Development Steering Cmte vote (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee "Plus" met as scheduled on Wednesday in a longer session and they accomplished in the longer session what they had not been able to do in their shorter session; have a healthy discussion and bring multiple topics to a conclusion. 

After multiple votes to narrow down the choices on a couple of items in the table, agreement was reached and the full inclusionary zoning referral was made unanimously.

The Franklin TV replay for this session is available ->   https://youtu.be/HukEWlkid6Q

The agenda doc for the meeting can be found here ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_jan_25_2023.pdf

The audio and my recap will be available in a couple of days. In the meantime my notes via Twitter can be found in one PDF here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/19389zqBsU2LEnQMp64-WnpJKMFJHB5W8/view?usp=share_link

All seven members of the committee were present in the Council Chambers

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting agenda - Jan 25, 2023 - 6 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 25, 2023 - 6:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda:

1. Zoning - Inclusionary Zoning

a. 22-889: Use Regulations Schedule - Residential

i. September 15, 2022 DCPD Memo & Staff Recommendation

ii. Map of a half mile circle from the train station

iii. Sample of a 40,000 square foot development in GRV

2. Initial Discussion: Accessory Dwelling Units

Agenda doc includes remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_jan_25_2023.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting agenda - Jan 25, 2023 - 6 PM

Franklin.TV: Jan 4 Economic Development Subcommittee video replay available (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting met on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023. The video replay of the meeting is available.

Agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-4-22_edc_agenda.pdf

Video link ->  https://youtu.be/AHE1OSoL8_I

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

January 4, 2023 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

355 East Central Street

Agenda: 

1. Lot Line Clean-Up 

a. 23-891: Area on and near Lincoln Street 

2. Zoning 

a. 22-889: Use Regulations Schedule - Residential 

3. Next meeting date a. FFA priorities memo

The agenda doc contains remote participation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-4-22_edc_agenda.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee + Steering Committee Meeting Agenda for Jan 4, 2023

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

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.

We talked about inclusionary zoning and other zoning items from the “Franklin For All” project which are now in the review and discussion process with the Economic Development Subcommittee that Melanie Chairs and for which Cobi is Vice-Chair. 

 

The recording of our conversation on zoning runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen in.

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

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Cobi’s ride around Franklin taking photos of housing types

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DG0iuZH0MmITC6GVDqL_zsZSV--9eq4s/view?usp=share_link

Cobi shared some Franklin Housing Data from DataTown (provided by MHP) via a Twitter thread  https://twitter.com/CobiFrongillo/status/1516768940579606532

Prior discussion with Cobi on housing conference -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/conversation-with-town-councilor-cobi.html

Prior discussion on Franklin For All project -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/this-franklin-for-all-discussion.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"

examples of current Franklin housing from Cobi's bike ride around Franklin

Economic Development discusses the ins and outs of 40R (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee and Steering committee (of the Franklin For All initiative) hear all about the 40R options at their meeting on Wednesday. 

As summarized by member (& ZBA Chair) Bruce Hunchard, basically you (the Town) is better off waiting for a developer to come forward and work together on a 40R than to create a 40R district or overlay zone. Or do like Shrewsbury did, solicit proposals for 40R and pick a developer to work with on a specific proposal. This effectively restates what Mark Bobrowski discussed during his presentation.

The presentation was made Mark Bobrowski.

a. Chapter 40R - Smart Growth Zoning & Housing Production

i. 40R Article  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nsr3AZscWA6m61C941Z7dHJBtzNjOVJ6/view?usp=share_link

ii. 40R PowerPoint  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmZArDb0LoUWh0aW5MTuIjliZNqGkrai/view?usp=share_link

 

YouTube link ->  https://youtu.be/qEYNosLvD8U

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q0RnrllZfdOaiP1x43jR9Lm7ycq0rlSL/view?usp=share_link

The meeting audio will be shared in a day or so.

Economic Development Subcommittee & Steering Committee Meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee & Steering Committee Meeting - Dec 14 at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Steering Committee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

December 14, 2022 - 5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

Agenda:

1. Presentation: Mark Bobrowski

a. Chapter 40R - Smart Growth Zoning & Housing Production

i. 40R Article  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nsr3AZscWA6m61C941Z7dHJBtzNjOVJ6/view?usp=share_link

ii. 40R PowerPoint  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmZArDb0LoUWh0aW5MTuIjliZNqGkrai/view?usp=share_link

 

The agenda doc includes remote connection info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/12-14-22_edc_agenda.pdf 

Economic Development Subcommittee & Steering Committee Meeting

After a 2nd discussion, Economic Development still finds no consensus on approach to inclusionary zoning proposal

The Economic Development Subcommittee and Steering Committee met on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022 in the Council Chambers with one member participating remotely. The discussion centered on the inclusionary zoning proposal carried over from the prior meeting. 

While the group had more time to review the matter, they still could not reach consensus on a recommendation and yet did move the item for discussion by the full Council. In my view, this group, which in principle approves of the concept, and yet can't recommend an approach, likely sets the full Council discussion up for failure. Stay tuned, this is an important discussion, and no matter the next vote, Franklin needs to address this properly.

My full set of notes and the audio will be shared shortly. The Franklin.TV video replay of the meeting is available via YouTube -> https://youtu.be/sUk0eqtUzXE

The agenda and doc released for this session ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-11-30_edc_agenda.pdf

Franklin Observer also provides their recap of the meeting here ->

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/133423/edc-kicks-can-council-inclusionary-zoning

the zoning map shared on the screen attempted to focus the discussion