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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Missed the 2nd Franklin For All Forum? Catch up on the info with these links
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Franklin For All: 05/16/2022 via YouTube (video)
The meeting was held at THE BLACK BOX. It was hosted by MAPC via Zoom and broadcast via Franklin TV as well as live streamed.
This recording runs about 70 minutes https://youtu.be/Ps5BnZdeqYY
The presentation document to share the 11 recommendations
https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Public-Forum-2-Presentation_updated-5-16.pdf
Franklin Matters notes captured via Twitter and shared in summary form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LM5r6VLuDw4yE2JPFEtw3ABaE4AbDADi/view?usp=sharing
Franklin For All Forum #2 reveals 11 recommendations - 05/16/22 (audio)
This shares the second Franklin For All Forum that was held on Monday, May 16, 2022.
The meeting was held at THE BLACK BOX. It was hosted by MAPC via Zoom and broadcast via Franklin TV as well as live streamed. The video will also be available on YouTube.
Links to the meeting information and my notes captured during the Forum are in the show notes.
This recording runs about 70 minutes. Let’s listen to the Franklin For All Forum held May 16, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-799-franklin-for-all-forum-2-05-16-22
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Franklin For All project page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
The presentation document to share the 11 recommendations
https://www.mapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Public-Forum-2-Presentation_updated-5-16.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter and shared in summary form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LM5r6VLuDw4yE2JPFEtw3ABaE4AbDADi/view?usp=sharing
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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
For additional information, please visit www.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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Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Franklin For All - recommendation presentation for you to read and think about
The Franklin For All project got an update from MAPC on the proposed recommendation Monday, May 16 in a hybrid forum at THE BLACK BOX.
While the presentation should have been made available before hand to create an informed discussion that night, it is now available for us all to read, review and think about.
What should downtown Franklin be in the future? What do we need to consider doing to get there?
Or read the embedded copy here
word cloud create from the survey results gathered by MAPC |
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Franklin TV: Franklin For All Forum - Monday, May 16, 6:30 PM
There is a public meeting scheduled for Monday, 6:30 PM at THE BLACK BOX.
Franklin For All is a community-driven process to establish a vision for Franklin Center, including the Downtown Commercial District and adjacent neighborhoods, and make rezoning recommendations to best achieve the vision. This will unlock development to expand housing choices, support local business, take advantage of new infrastructure, and foster a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. There will be multiple engagement opportunities for the public to weigh in on their vision for Franklin Center and the proposed approach to rezoning.
The Project’s Timeline
Franklin enjoys a compact downtown with an MBTA Commuter Rail Station, a museum, a performing arts theater, Dean College, and a mix of restaurants and retailers. There are also events throughout the year, including the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, that draw large crowds to the area. Significant time and resources have been devoted to enhancing the area with a focus on improving traffic flow, safety and emergency response time, improving roadways, fostering a pedestrian environment, improving the overall appearance, and stimulating private sector investment.
Franklin For All seeks to build on Franklin Center’s existing assets and become a vibrant, mixed-use destination. More people living in a walkable downtown means more spending at local shops, fewer car trips and less greenhouse gas emissions, and more interactions amongst residents, fostering a stronger sense of community. Through rezoning, we can remove restrictions that hold back quality projects to encourage development that directly meets a shared vision for Franklin Center.
To learn more: https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
Franklin TV: Franklin For All Forum - Monday, May 16, 6:30 PM |
Friday, May 13, 2022
Reminder: Franklin For All Public Forum on Monday, May 16
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Reminder: Franklin For All Public Forum on Monday, May 16 |
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Economic Development Subcommittee discusses Franklin For All objectives (audio)
FM #789 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 789 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Next Franklin for All Forum is scheduled for May 16, at THE BLACK BOX. MAPC may provide the recommendations beforehand to enable a worthy discussion as they are looking for feedback on the high level proposals. The subcommittee expressed desire to have such documentation beforehand. While MAPC was present they did not commit to do so,
Much of the meeting was simply discussion among the subcommittee on the goals, how to accomplish them, etc. Towards the end of the discussion, they did get to some of the key items in that some of the process for making things “by right” need to be improved, so the discussion on what those should be can be expected to occur at subsequent meetings.
The recording of the meeting runs about 56 minutes.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-789-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-05-04-22--------------
Meeting agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-05-04_edc_agenda_.pdf
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://youtu.be/UnEXp2fNNtU
My notes taken via Twitter and captured in one PDF can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sirs0iYh47R0ECMd0VBWK16NIpKNGhP8/view?usp=sharing
--------------
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"
Economic Development Subcommittee discusses Franklin For All objectives (audio) |
Thursday, May 5, 2022
You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum set for Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM
You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum set for Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM
The next phase of Franklin For All is ready! Our project consultants have created draft rezoning recommendations utilizing the feedback provided by over 600 residents during the visioning survey. Join us for a hybrid public forum at 6:30pm on Monday, May 16th at The Black Box or via Zoom. Weigh in on draft zoning recommendations and learn about next steps for the rezoning effort. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Register for the forum here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0td-mrrzMrE9AK0ufr5wI3nHVYjCRISTLJ
You can learn more about this project on our project website here: https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/youre-invited-franklin-all-recommendation-review-public-forum-set-monday-may-16-630pm
You're Invited! Franklin for All - Recommendation Review Public Forum |
Sunday, May 1, 2022
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - May 4, 2022 - 5:45 PM
2nd floor, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street
1. EDC + Steering Committee Discussion: MAPC “Franklin For All” zoning reform project for Franklin Center, including the Downtown Commercial District and surrounding neighborhoods
Agenda doc & connection info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-05-04_edc_agenda_.pdf
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - May 4, 2022 - 5:45 PM |
Sunday, April 24, 2022
"One thing nearly everyone agrees on: Massachusetts faces a housing crisis, and needs to build more"
"Everyone should do their part.
That was the thinking behind the ambitious housing legislation that Massachusetts lawmakers passed just over a year ago.
The basic idea: require suburbs where the single-family home reigns supreme to do more to help address the housing shortage. The legislation mandates new multifamily zones in 175 cities and towns, known as “MBTA Communities” because they have a subway, commuter rail, bus, or ferry station, or neighbor a town that does. It sets the stage for potentially hundreds of thousands of new apartments and condos to be built across Eastern Massachusetts in the coming years."
- Franklin is underway with the Franklin For All planning effort
- The requirement is for zoning changes (if required) to be approved by 2024 to meet the goals set by State (not yet published - currently in review process from feedback on the draft released)
- It is not yet clear that Franklin needs to do much to change zoning (unless we really want to) as it appears, we are already within the proposed goals (remains to be confirmed). In Town Council presentation on this matter, for the downtown commercial zone we already permit more than what is required. How much we already have within the downtown zone (vs what is required) is an open question
- The process will not be completed quickly, MAPC has draft recommendations scheduled to be reviewed on May 16 (recommendations not yet released)
- Once released and reviewed, the recommendations still need to be reviewed by the Economic Development Subcommittee, potential zoning changes referred by Town Council to Planning Board, Planning Board does public hearings and makes recommendation back to Town Council, Town Council also does public hearings and discussions before voting
- Please follow along this journey, we all need improvements to housing stock especially affordable housing in Franklin
"One thing nearly everyone agrees on: Massachusetts faces a housing crisis, and needs to build more" |
Monday, April 4, 2022
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - April 6, 2022
1. Update: MAPC “Franklin For All” zoning reform project for Franklin Center, including the Downtown Commercial District and surrounding neighborhoods
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-06_edc_agenda_2.pdf
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - April 6, 2022 |
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Franklin for All survey responses due Friday, April 1, 2022
Franklin! You have until Friday, April 1 to provide your feedback on the Downtown for Franklin for All survey. The responses from the visioning survey will be used by our project consultants at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to create the draft zoning recommendations.
To learn more about Franklin for All, visit our project webpage: https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
Access the survey here: https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/SV_1SW9jOR99Rzvevk?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-all-one-week-left-complete-visioning-survey
Franklin for All survey responses due Friday, April 1, 2022 |
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Franklin For All - One Week Left to Complete the Visioning Survey! - Due April 1
Franklin For All - One Week Left to Complete the Visioning Survey!
Franklin! You have one more week to give us your feedback on the Downtown for Franklin for All before the survey closes on April 1st. The responses from the visioning survey will be used by our project consultants at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to create the draft zoning recommendations.
To learn more about Franklin for All, visit our project webpage: https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
Access the survey here: https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/SV_1SW9jOR99Rzvevk?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-all-one-week-left-complete-visioning-survey
Franklin For All - One Week Left to Complete the Visioning Survey! - Due April 1 |