Register for the March 7 "Franklin For All" Forum
(As published in Franklin Matters)
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
Winter 2021-2022
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
Spring and Summer 2022
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. |