By Joyce Mandell
In under two year, the town of Franklin has made positive strides in passing policies that support housing and transit oriented development including the following:
- Increased housing density downtown to up to 18 units/acre
- Created affordability requirements for complexes over 10 units
- Legalized 3-family homes by-right around the commuter rail
- Passed Accessory Dwelling Unit by-law delineating standards and approval process
- Rezoned historic downtown factory for mixed-use development
- Advanced two affordable housing developments
- Appointed pro-housing members to Zoning Board and Master Plan Committee
Here is the topper: On August 14, nine town councilors voted unanimously in support of Franklin’s proposed zoning ordinance to comply with the MBTA Communities Law! In contrast to towns that have settled for “paper compliance”, Franklin went steps further: concentrating the new zoning district in the downtown core, allowing for mixed use development to stimulate a walkable, livable district, removing parking minimums for commercial properties and reducing parking minimums from 1.5 to 1 spaces for residential properties. Eliminating and lowering parking requirements is a tested way to prevent the risk of overestimating needed parking, allowing developers to decide the parking requirement for the intended use and therefore, lowering the cost of development without adding unnecessary parking construction costs.
“Don’t underestimate the influence of BEN in this victory,” mused town councilor and AHMA member Cobi Frongillo, referring to the new group organized with AHMA support in 2023 named Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN) 4 Franklin. BEN advocates showed up to testify for elimination of parking minimums, tabled at Strawberry Stroll, led an educational, urbanist Jane Walk and released their vision and goals for the future development of Franklin in their new website. BEN is essentially changing the conversation in Franklin on what makes a great, livable and inclusive town- increased housing density, a walkable, transit oriented downtown, great sidewalks, bike paths and more.
When Cobi and I first met in spring 2023, he was not sure there were others in town who shared his vision. Through intensive work of talking and listening to Franklinites one-on-one, in congregations and at community events, we were able to find others who shared Cobi’s vision and values. Less than a year later, Cobi no longer feels on his own but a part of BEN, a larger group of committed, visionary Franklinites.
Let Franklin’s story of growing a new grassroots pro-housing group that makes real policy change inspire us as we head into the fall season of 3A votes. BEN 4 Franklin’s rise shows how just one or two people can be the spark to make a local movement. Please reach out to AHMA organizers if you want to start or grow a new group in your town. We are here!