Great summary of the MBTA community zoning initiative

While we wait patiently for MAPC to share the documents the showed at the Economic Development Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 6, we can also review this thread from Clark Ziegler, Executive Director of the MA Housing Partnership (https://www.mhp.net/about-us/staff). A great summary of the MBTA community zoning initiative.

Link to the Twitter thread (PDF) ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e5DKbp_E_YA7peYacj5SDS24PPuuhcpP/view?usp=sharing

Embedded PDF doc to read

photo of one of the pages of the presentation shared on Weds evening

Additional slides from the portion of the meeting I was able to attend. Had been late to this session as I was covering the Board of Health meeting upstairs in the Municipal Bldg.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/pLeLHhi3GZ6UtSyP8

Note 1 - Communication is best facilitated when the audience is prepared to discuss the topic at hand. Audience preparation is critical to a worthy and productive dialog. Sharing information in advance of the meeting (especially when the info is loaded with details) is much more productive than teasing the audience and forcing a delay in interaction or dealing with speculation about the intent of the data. 

Note 2 - the audio recording of the meeting will be available along with the transcript so that those who did participate can return to review details, and those who were unable to do so at the time, can also hear what was covered.

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

Boston Globe: 2 opinions on transfers fees reveal details on affordable housing and incentives for building more housing

Two opinions on transfers fees reveal details on affordable housing and incentives for building more housing. 

"For too long, affordable homes have been out of reach for people across the Commonwealth. But a tool exists that can help communities solve this persistent problem: a real estate transfer fee.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is seeking the Legislature’s approval of a home rule petition for a transfer fee of up to 2 percent on real estate sales of $2 million or more in the city. The money would pay for new affordable housing and provide tax cuts for low-income seniors.

Like Boston, Somerville, Concord, Cambridge, Arlington, Brookline, Nantucket, Provincetown, and Chatham have already passed local home rule petitions calling for transfer fees. The Legislature should approve the proposals and also consider legislation giving all communities across the state the option of imposing transfer fees. "

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/24/opinion/one-tool-help-create-affordable-housing-real-estate-transfer-fees/ 

"What can be done? Housing activists and those in the business of building homes should get on the same page and support policies that will increase supply. Highly restrictive neighborhood zoning needs to be changed to reflect the fact that Boston needs height and density to house more of the people who want to come here or remain here when they retire.

The City of Boston’s legendarily long permitting cycle also should be revised. Permitting a new apartment building takes years when it needs approvals from Boston agencies, including Planning and Development, Zoning, Boston Civic Design Inspectional Services, Transportation, Water and Sewer, Air Pollution Control, Conservation, Public Improvement, Public Works, and others. And that doesn’t include state and federal hurdles."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/24/opinion/transfer-fees-arent-solution-bostons-housing-crisis/

The Parker under construction in July 2021 on Lagrange Street, will feature condos.SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF

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

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

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.  

• Chair, Melanie Hamblen, Town Council 

• Beth Wierling, member of the Planning Board

• Cobi Frongillo, member of the Town Council

• Bruce Hunchard, chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals

 

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to the conversation about the Franklin For All project and process. 

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

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Respond to the survey by April 1 => https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce  

Franklin For All Forum - March 7, 2022

• Transcript =>  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEsjmEFESie06Bx4bAOSxhMbhpY45gsL/view?usp=sharing

• Audio recording => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-748-franklin-for-all-forum-03-07-22

• Video recording =>  https://youtu.be/9fewoumulN4 

 

Franklin For All project page ->  https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/ 

 

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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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights

"traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia"

Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) tweeted  Sat, Mar 12, 2022:

Suburbia is Subsidized: Here's the Math

"In every case, in every region @UrbanThree has analyzed, traditional mixed use walkable neighborhoods dramatically outperform car centric suburbia."

🎥 @notjustbikes
https://t.co/zrM27tEcGB

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/WCYVMDTl1w

If you haven't completed the survey on Franklin For All, please do so ->    https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/SV_1SW9jOR99Rzvevk?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current

Take the Franklin For All survey between now and April 1!

Recording and materials from March 7 forum also available

We need to hear from you as we craft the community vision for Franklin Center. Take the Franklin For All survey by Friday, April 1 to make your voice heard! Click here to take the survey! Thank you to everyone who joined for our first public forum this past Monday, March 7! We appreciate you taking the time to share your questions and perspectives on the future of Franklin Center. If you did not get a chance attend or would like to view the meeting again, you can access a PDF of the presentation as well as a video recording via the links below. Click here for a PDF version of the presentation Click here for a video recording of the meeting www.mapc.org/franklin-for-all

Metropolitan Area Planning Council | 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111 Sent by ebattaglia@mapc.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

“This history of racist planning is so deeply ingrained in American cities"

"Urban neighborhoods that were redlined by federal officials in the 1930s tended to have higher levels of harmful air pollution eight decades later, a new study has found, adding to a body of evidence that reveals how racist policies in the past have contributed to inequalities across the United States today.

In the wake of the Great Depression, when the federal government graded neighborhoods in hundreds of cities for real estate investment, Black and immigrant areas were typically outlined in red on maps to denote risky places to lend. Racial discrimination in housing was outlawed in 1968. But the redlining maps entrenched discriminatory practices whose effects reverberate nearly a century later.

To this day, historically redlined neighborhoods are more likely to have high populations of Black, Latino and Asian residents than areas that were favorably assessed at the time."

Continue reading the editorial online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/climate/redlining-racism-air-pollution.html

“This history of racist planning is so deeply ingrained in American cities"

Heard about the Franklin For All Forum? the audio and transcript are now available

FM #748 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 748 in the series. 

This shares the Franklin For All Forum that was held on Monday, March 7, 2022.

The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. It was hosted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) via Zoom and broadcast via Franklin TV as well as live streamed. 

This recording runs about 2 hours and 25 minutes.  Let’s listen to the Franklin For All Forum held Mar 7, 2022.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-748-franklin-for-all-forum-03-07-22

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/  (Note: if there should be a more accurate spelling of your name, please let me know and I can update the online copy. For those whose name could not be determined via the recording, please let me know.)

Transcript =>  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEsjmEFESie06Bx4bAOSxhMbhpY45gsL/view?usp=sharing

Links to the meeting information and my notes captured during the Forum are in the show notes. 

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**** Visioning Survey ****  The survey is open for your input ->       https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce 

Franklin For All project page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/  

My notes captured via Twitter and shared in summary form

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iojwdwbOUUfrvfnwuy_xn59P8yVws5Jq/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 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!

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

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

QR code takes you to the Franklin For All page

QR code takes you to the Franklin For All visioning survey

Recap: Franklin For All Forum gets some input amid questions on MPAC and expressions of fear

Quick recap:

• The Franklin For All Forum was a hybrid event hosted technically by MAPC in the Council Chambers. Some technical issues needed to be worked out so the meeting was slow starting
• There were approx. 40-50 in room, another 100+ via Zoom, some other number (unknown) likely watching via cable or live stream
• The Forum was meant to allow for (1) Q&A on the process and (2) input from Franklin residents to help develop a vision for downtown
• EDC Plus Steering Committee Chair Melanie Hamblen provided some homework assignments (walk around Franklin, sign up for newsletter, checkout Franklin For All page, let's all be open and treat comments with respect)
• Emma Battaglia, MAPC Project Manager, provided an overview of the project and objectives. She announced the release of the survey to enable input which will be open for at least a couple of weeks. A draft of initial zoning recommendations will come forward for review and discussion
• The EDC Plus committee will hear and review, possibly propose something to the Town Council. Assuming the proposal includes zoning changes, the zoning changes would go to the Planning Board for their review (including 2 public hearings) before coming back to the Council. The Council would also hold a public hearing and have two readings of the changes before a final vote. Bottomline - plenty of time to review and discuss whatever changes do come from this study

My notes taken via Twitter are collected in the PDF here. The audio (and possible transcript of the audio) should be available in a couple of days.

The PDF can also be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iojwdwbOUUfrvfnwuy_xn59P8yVws5Jq/view?usp=sharing

The survey is open for your input ->   https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce

Visit mapc.org/franklin-for-all for additional information on Franklin For All and for ongoing updates on the planning process. You can also sign up for email updates at mapc.ma/franklin-for-all-news.  Email planning@franklinma.gov if you have questions about this project or additional ideas for enhancing Franklin Center

Recap: Franklin For All Forum gets some input

Franklin looks at big week with a number of reveals (downtown zoning?, school budget?, storm water?, town budget?)

This is very important week for Franklin. 

The week starts with the Franklin For All Forum Monday night, the discussion on what changes if any should be made to downtown gets into full gear. MAPC has been conducting some focus group meetings with key stakeholders. The results of those discussions remain to be seen. Monday is touted to be a review of the current zoning and building downtown to get us to where we are. Meeting info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/events/373166

Tuesday, at the scheduled School Committee meeting, the community gets to hear the Superintendent’s recommended school budget for the FY 2023 fiscal year. The docs were released in advance for review.  Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-8-22.pdf

Wednesday, the community can listen to the DPW update for the Finance Committee. Apparently, within the details of the presentation are the rationale for implementing the talked of “storm water utility fee”. Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-9-22_fin_com_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Thursday, the Joint Budget Committee, formally charged now with fostering discussion among the Town Council, Finance Committee, and School Committee gets to see the first release of the FY 2023 Town of Franklin budget. The numbers are still preliminary at this point but the ballpark should be good enough for a discussion on how to address the multiple priorities the Town (and Schools) face. Agenda not yet released (should be sometime Tuesday) https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee/events/372166

The meetings are open for in person or remote participation, check the Town Calendar, School Calendar, or Franklin Matters for agenda documents.

Franklin looks at big week with a number of reveals (downtown zoning?, school budget?, storm water?, town budget?)

Reminder! Learn about zoning in Franklin Monday, Mar 7, 2022 at 7 PM

Franklin for All Public Forum Monday, March 7, 7 p.m.

Join the Town of Franklin and MAPC for our first public forum on Monday, March 7 at 7PM! This will be a hybrid meeting that takes place in the Council Chambers at Town Hall (please note the change in location) and over Zoom. Click the link below to register and tell us if you plan to attend in person or remotely. Register for the March 7 Forum www.mapc.org/franklin-for-all

Metropolitan Area Planning Council | 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111 Sent by ebattaglia@mapc.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!