[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6116511,"mediaKeyId","2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a","parentId",2732779,"title","Subcommittee advances idea to raise special permit threshold to 75,000 sq ft; final decision deferred","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",2410000,"endMs",2692000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a&start=2410&end=2692","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a/thumbnail_2410000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116511/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Subcommittee-advances-idea-to-raise-special-permit-threshold-to-75000-sq-ft-final-decision-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116511-cd975142b931e98c8fec71b26bdd8205/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170442&Signature=Lk2Q28-4hJ--W3GjmIP8sxCU543MA~XpoZixCEXhkzQmxUseRoUtQB48KWEaOTVPGUHulKQXe8JVnj8jDi3pa1iCJWFAmbC6g-rHs2IPPpiklypPiKh6Er3YOSVFom2veTGpzAdCRfciLZ5D77zeQTYh3S2q0geFJTHIkBtNd3pEqrc8dZRJXgYX-XSwFz8heVYKEBVVXFqFvbXRoTvngQpGcfXn1pz6LZURlIgbaA5esfVgpvqP55pc5Sat9OefLRIP~eFWPrRZYTD6-w5ZR0TMIhSIiHacMpCVtMOAMjojqlXTpsiMnt-IKTyqFy7QrP7Txzkjwdfkx3R4rhj-sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Framingham City, MA","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","Councilors discussed whether the City Council should be the special‑permit granting authority for larger projects and debated numeric thresholds used to determine when council review is required.

Councilor Adeviani moved to set the special‑permit threshold at 75,000 square feet; the motion was seconded during the meeting. Several councilors voiced support for involving the City Council in larger projects to increase public engagement; one councilor said they were not yet ready to vote and chose to abstain on the spot. Councilor Adeviani framed the 75,000 threshold as a compromise between 50,000 (too low) and 100,000 (too high).

Sarki and staff provided a summary of recent building activity and permits: staff reported that 563 units have been approved in the prior year and a half, and that project square footage and permit timing vary. Councilors asked staff to provide a comprehensive list of projects and their square footage so members could finalize a threshold in a future meeting.

The subcommittee did not adopt a final numeric threshold at this meeting; members agreed to carry the item forward to a subsequent meeting after staff provides a full project list and additional analysis.

Votes at the meeting: the formal adjournment motion that closed the meeting passed with recorded aye votes from Councilor Bridal, Councilor Adeviani, Councilor Liam Bruno, Councilor Ward and Councilor Long.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Framingham City Planning & Zoning Subcommittee 3-10-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning & Zoning Subcommittee discussed raising the special‑permit square‑footage threshold so larger projects come before the City Council; Councilor Adeviani moved to set the threshold at 75,000 square feet, the motion was seconded and members agreed to carry the item over for formal action.","taxTitle","Framingham City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",12558,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6116515,"Subcommittee discusses Saxonville and Jacksonville redevelopment, new ownership and infrastructure needs",91,1084000,1175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a&start=1084&end=1175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6116515/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Subcommittee-discusses-Saxonville-and-Jacksonville-redevelopment-new-ownership-and-infrastructure-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116515-c9a2c87a0562d5ebab2e1a2408b4dbf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170442&Signature=Ak18wUpkSmb4csp7RZNzLa-q8HJM-tH8MQRsatsiteJfm2oLoQWqeAKRjd2B3uzso0dWSQEsztiNndVnXvnGQjrB~pidyfgkprKlXvmwygFmQrLjnOabiuhIorsBx8WF4PeDmwVGkP54bpBEy6g9ZV0fBBwVSHH9SKMf5rzU5bHIBlwCIcdXgSFN~JodGw-c9~8nl82O54JKmr6uhgkonb22wJSOnnU3WpkS3tTlRYnSfDH0mo272MZBuGLpB1nzPrvdoWb-bV8tjzYt5RgWvtfw5I-xHjpO1FShtX7~wNxQF~YTX15UkuLwI9Y8DzdiYEv6230e0W0ReMQloJgsrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Framingham City staff and councilors discussed redevelopment plans and zoning options for Saxonville and Jacksonville, noting recent property sales, rooftop solar lease complications, and a need for major intersection improvements to support village‑scale redevelopment.

During public comment, Adam Bloomfield raised broader concerns about state zoning changes and local impact. Sarki, the city’s economic development director, told the subcommittee that Saxonville was recently sold and that rooftop solar leases could affect near‑term redevelopment plans: “there's been interest to see that property redeveloped, and I guess the leases or what have you with the solar, kinda control what can happen, you know, in the near future.” He said he planned to meet the new owner to discuss long‑range plans.

Sarki estimated the cost to rebuild the principal Saxonville intersection at more than $10,000,000 and urged the subcommittee to pursue state grant programs such as MassWorks and to coordinate zoning to strengthen grant applications. He cited an earlier example in Nobscot where rezoning helped secure a $3,200,000 grant tied to multiple redevelopment projects.

Councilors and staff discussed using incentive zoning by special permit rather than by‑right zoning so the city retains discretionary review—allowing conditions or denial—if redevelopment proposals are submitted. Councilor Long and others emphasized that neighborhood engagement will be key: councilor Ward said the subcommittee plans a series of community meetings in Jacksonville, beginning the next day, to solicit broad input.

Councilors noted Pine Field Plaza and the former State Lumber site as priority parcels for zoning and redevelopment conversations. Multiple councilors warned the subcommittee not to wait until an owner pursues a zoning board of appeals route (use variance) that could bypass the city’s preferred rezoning process.

Why it matters: Large infrastructure costs and the choice between by‑right versus special permit zoning will shape whether redevelopment preserves village scale and how the city competes for state grants. Several councilors said earlier neighborhood pushback on by‑right MBTA zoning shows the importance of outreach and conceptual design in advance of any project approvals.

No zoning changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will pursue outreach and follow‑up meetings with property owners and neighbors.","City staff and councilors discussed recent sales and redevelopment interest in Saxonville and Jacksonville, potential zoning options (special permit/incentive zoning), and a multi‑million dollar intersection reconstruction that the city will seek state funding to cover.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6116520,"Framingham subcommittee weighs smaller Central Business District to meet MBTA compliance",565,80000,645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a&start=80&end=645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732779-0c43c4c41dc5f3a9eddc66cd4812a54a/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6116520/Framingham-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Framingham-subcommittee-weighs-smaller-Central-Business-District-to-meet-MBTA-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116520-c3f11cd7de1a6175b464c2fcd032e06c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170442&Signature=oQ13d7H8V5KlAIQTdH3S4GKncHB9ZjnhkKO497QAqgYkmHG790~jAzBDtGe~1Jz-lSMo4OybXM7Y0hazFX-FpWT4niCeeslKAGZx3FUq3Bpy2K1GUFGf-Is9elqCQA8CqlZde30CVlRVjSRM0ZfrjSTzIMBLUPhU0rE8JtYLT5NBsv-bUR2KnavVw~Du93JLtyJ3vzqThpj1UvwYoFJi2SbUWqDxgvQpDgHwM-0w-yWmWXGCwFk3RIYP7ah0y0wBlsGW1B2w0179nyP1J19ovYuYD5XQDOenKrmUNO~bh9XjHgqSY4o0OT~gkvBHPcOor6IklwYJ9TVrK8X6VahwWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham City Council Planning and Zoning Subcommittee discussed reducing the size of the city’s Central Business (CB) District and preparing a third‑party economic feasibility study required for MBTA Communities Act compliance.

Councilor Long said the subcommittee has a public hearing scheduled for April 1 and that the city is prioritizing an economic feasibility study to maintain compliance. Sarki, the city’s economic development director, told the subcommittee the city is “working and trying to have Framingham State assist us because it has to be done by a third party.”

Subcommittee members described concern that the current CB District—about 212 acres—includes many small residential lots and argued a smaller district could reduce allowable heights and densities adjacent to existing neighborhoods. Sarki showed a map of a proposed smaller district “approximately a 10 acres” that, he said, would meet the state’s formula for unit yield if building heights were limited to about four stories.

Members debated what should happen to parcels removed from the CB District if the reduction is adopted. Councilor Long suggested those properties should “revert back to their original zoning” to create a buffer of lower height and density without adding a new zone. Sarki and others noted the subcommittee has not yet set precise height or density limits for either the reduced district or the areas that would remain outside it.

The subcommittee also discussed process: Sarki recommended showing the proposed boundary changes to the state before taking final action to confirm the city would remain in compliance, and Phil (staff) said he would put a formal referral to the planning board on the subcommittee’s agenda so the planning board can review the map and criteria.

Why it matters: MBTA Communities Act compliance affects where and how many multifamily units a community must allow, which in turn shapes redevelopment, neighborhood scale and eligibility for certain state grants. Subcommittee members repeatedly framed the CB review as a tool to balance state compliance with local control over height and special permits.

The subcommittee did not take a final vote on the CB boundary at the meeting; members agreed to refer the proposal to the planning board for review and to continue the discussion at later meetings.","The Framingham City Council Planning & Zoning Subcommittee discussed shrinking the Central Business (CB) District from roughly 212 acres to an area of about 10 acres as part of an effort to meet MBTA Communities Act requirements and control building heights and density.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee advances idea to raise special permit threshold to 75,000 sq ft; final decision deferred

Subcommittee discusses Saxonville and Jacksonville redevelopment, new ownership and infrastructure needs

Framingham subcommittee weighs smaller Central Business District to meet MBTA compliance