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Politics & Government

Master Plan: Revamp Zoning, Create Town-Wide Transportation Plan

The final version of Framingham's Master Plan outlined a number of steps the town will need to take in order to bring development to various parts of the community.

Framingham Planning Board’s presentation to the Board of Selectmen of the long-anticipated Master Plan essentially outlined what Framingham could look like if the elements of the plan are implemented.

“The Planning Board doesn’t see this as an end but a beginning,” said Planning Board Chair Thomas F. Mahoney of the Master Plan presentation that was released at Wednesday night's Selectmen's meeting.

By definition a master plan serves as a guide for governmental policy and a blueprint for land use and development. Framingham’s Master Plan describes today’s community and direction for the future. The purpose of the Master Plan is to identify strategies that will let officials implement change with an understanding of the vision.

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The plan’s top priority for action is a comprehensive revision of the town’s zoning regulations. By tweaking zoning, the town could provide incentives for development and economic growth.

Other short term actions brought forward in the Master Plan include:

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  • Create districts for key commercial centers such as the Golden Triangle; Waverly Street and South Framingham; downtown; Concord Street corridor; Framingham Center and the industrial parks on the western fringes of town.
  • Develop conservation, park and historic site programs.
  • Establish a town-wide transportation plan.
  • Develop a Healthy Communities initiative.
  • Implement alternative energy bylaws.
  • Create a town-wide economic development plan.

In formulating the Master Plan, a town-wide survey was conducted that gave planners an idea of what Framingham residents want to see in their town.Nine major results emerged from the survey:

  1. Framingham is a great location and a great place to live;
  2. Libraries and the historical character are benefits;
  3. Multi-family housing is over developed and single family housing is preferred;
  4. Downtown needs attention and should be the focus of revitalization.
  5. Zoning bylaws and a land trust should share responsibilities to preserve open space;
  6. The town character needs upgrading and business owners should help;
  7. The top three reasons to go downtown are: library, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"framingham-public-library-main-library"} -->,
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