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Framingham council approves first reading to shrink Central Business District, citing MBTA compliance
Summary
The Framingham City Council voted 10–1 on a first reading to reduce the geographic size and lower the allowable height in the Central Business (CB) District to meet MBTA zoning unit requirements, with council members and planning officials debating trade-offs for neighborhood impacts, density limits and planning control.
The Framingham City Council moved on a first reading to amend the Central Business District zoning map and related CB height and density provisions, voting 10–1 to send the measure to a second reading. The motion, made by Councilor Long and seconded on the floor, would reduce the CB district’s area, cap building height at 40 feet (four stories) by right, and prohibit waivers and variances for multifamily developments of more than 10 units.
Supporters said shrinking the CB district and lowering permissive height would limit out‑of‑scale development on side streets and address parking and traffic impacts that residents have raised for years. “This reduction to the CB District is much needed,” Councilor Long said during debate, adding the change is intended to meet the MBTA zoning unit requirement without allowing the larger, by‑right…
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