Signatures being looked for to oppose the Autumn Hill development

The Summer St residents group has a webpage and petition underway.

"We strongly oppose the proposed senior development called Autumn Hill, located at 496-498 Summer Street. This property is zoned for single family residential uses, RR1 and RR2. However, the Town of Franklin can override the zoning due to the Senior Village Overlay District. See 185-48 by-law amendment. This allows the densest development possible 

Bruce Hunchard, the chairperson of the zoning board, also the owner of the property, is calling this a senior development. It is actually condominiums, 2-3 bedroom, full basement, and 2 car garage that will sell starting at $850,000. In other words, cluster homes for the wealthy seniors, not seniors in need of affordable housing. 

This is a clear conflict of interest for Mr. Hunchard who owns the property and is Chairperson of the zoning board."

Continue to their webpage to find more info and the petition ->  

https://www.no2summerst.com/

From the Franklin Matters Archives

• 2/11/24 - public hearing notice by Town https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/public-hearing-notice-planning-board-to.html
• 2/16/24 - Prior history of proposal for Res 7 zoning https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/autumn-hill-development-proposed-for.html
• 2/22/24 - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/02/voices-of-franklin-objection-to-senior.html 
• 3/23/24  - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/voices-of-franklin-letter-to-planning.html
• 5/25/24  - Voices of Franklin submittal https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/voices-of-franklin-lack-of.html

Planning Board page for Autumn Hill development docs

https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/autumn-hill-senior-village-488-and-496-summer-street-02022024

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

FM #1229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1229 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 for the first of their 2 normal meetings for June.  Our schedules coordinated to talk on Thursday morning to recap the long 4 hour session the night before..

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Electric Youth high point of session

• Verizon cable contract renewal

• Farmers Market licenses for La Cantina, Blisspoint Meadery

• Public Hearing on King St business zoning proposal

• Moved to second reading by 5-4 vote

• Final approval requires 6 Yes votes

• Friendly 40b approved by 5-4 vote

• Still needs to work through the permit process, etc.

• Zoning bylaws referral to Planning Board

• 3 measures regarding MBTA compliance

• Mixed use zoning definition

• EDC recommendation changed on parking minimums

• Still to come back to Council for discussion & vote

• TA Emergency shelter update

• No town funds spent for anything

• Schools reimbursed from State for their additional support costs

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1230-town-council-quarterbacking-06-06-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast 06/05/24  ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1PnsDuPwE 

Agenda and supporting documents -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_5_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

My notes for this meeting  captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/190oyby8h5rC5ivDqN4lKAOV5PBP2UCM4/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the 4 hour Council meeting in about 25 minutes (audio)

Public Hearings scheduled by Planning Board & Town Council for King St parcel zoning change from residential to business

Franklin Planning Board

Public Hearing Notice

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, notice is hereby given that the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00 PM and the Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Franklin Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street (also available to be attended remotely) to consider amending Chapter 185, Section 5 of the Code of the Town of Franklin.

ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 24-905 

Zoning Map Amendment 24-905 (formerly 24-901) would amend the Town’s existing Zoning Map (Chapter 185, Section 5, of Franklin Town Code) by changing parcels 313-061-000 and 313-062-000 parcels from the Single Family Residential III zoning district to the Business zoning district.

Please contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at (508) 520-4907 if you require further information or if you need to make arrangements to provide translation services for the hearing impaired, or for persons with language barriers.

Copies of the plan and supporting documentation may be reviewed in the Department of Planning & Community Development during regular office hours.

Greg Rondeau, Chairman 

Franklin Planning Board 

Tom Mercer, Chairman

Franklin Town Council

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_24-905.pdf

Public Hearings scheduled by Planning Board & Town Council for King St parcel zoning change from residential to business