The Town of Franklin is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on Franklin For All, a community-driven process to establish a vision for Franklin Center and make recommendations for rezoning the area to best achieve the vision.
GET INVOLVED!
Franklin For All seeks to engage a variety of stakeholders, including Franklin residents (particularly existing residents living in Franklin Center), business
owners, property owners, service providers, affordable housing advocates, and local developers to identify priorities for the future of this area. This work will
be guided by a Steering Committee of local stakeholders.
The Town and MAPC will engage the community through various focus group meetings and a minimum of two public forums. We need you to share your
knowledge of Franklin Center and hopes for the future.
Here is how you can connect with the planning process:
• Join us at one of our public forums! The first forum will have a hybrid format and will take place on Monday, March 7, 2022, at 7 PM at the Franklin High School Auditorium and on Zoom. Register at mapc.ma/franklin-forum1-reg.
• Sign up for our email list at mapc.ma/franklin-for-all-news for updates on engagement events and plan progress.
• Visit the project webpage at www.mapc.org/franklin-for-all to view materials and draft content as they are produced.
• Email planning@franklinma.gov if you have questions about this project or ideas for enhancing Franklin Center.
Franklin is fortunate to have 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. In recent years, significant time and resources have been devoted to enhancing the area with a focus on improving vehicular circulation and safety, improving roadways, fostering a pedestrian environment, improving the overall appearance of downtown, and stimulating private sector investment.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS WORK?
Franklin For All seeks to build on existing assets of Franklin Center (including the Downtown Commercial District and surrounding neighborhoods) and overcome barriers that are preventing the area from fully realizing its potential as a vibrant, mixed-use destination. More people living in a walkable downtown means more spending at local businesses, less car trips and greenhouse gas
emissions, and more interactions amongst residents which fosters a strong sense of community. By modifying zoning, we can remove restrictions which may be holding back high-quality projects and encourage development that directly meets the community’s vision for Franklin Center.
The purpose of this work is to unlock development that will:
• Promote economic growth
• Support local business
• Expand housing choices
• Take advantage of new infrastructure
• Provide community benefits
• Foster vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods
WHAT WILL THIS WORK INCLUDE?
Franklin For All includes several components:
Fall 2021 (complete)
Background research and analysis of existing zoning to identify barriers that
may be limiting development of high-quality projects in desired locations
Public engagement to establish a vision for Franklin Center
Winter and Spring 2022
Creation of potential development scenarios, including visualizations and build-out figures, and draft zoning recommendations that align with the Franklin Center vision
Public engagement to review draft zoning recommendations
A follow-up phase of this work will include the actual rezoning of Franklin Center.
Download a copy of the flyer here ->
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| Register for the "Franklin For All" Forum scheduled for March 7, 2022 - 7 PM |
