Land Use

The Citizens Action Planning Committee (CAPC) developed a set of town-wide re-zoning examples to illustrate possible avenues to implement land use objectives. These examples were not themselves proposed or considered at the time of Master Plan adoption. Many of the proposals, in fact, were rejected by the Planning Board in their final adoption of the Master Plan. The effect of the recommended zoning changes would be to accomplish these objectives:

  • More accurately reflect the amount of land actually available for industrial development by rezoning existing industrially-zoned land not developable for industrial uses.
  • Increase the supply of appropriately-located industrial land available to meet the employment needs of residents.
  • Increase the value of commercial and industrial land uses at buildout to approximately 25% of the total tax valuation base.
  • Reduce traffic congestion in the center of town by reserving land on the south side of Interstate 495 interchange 16 for commercial uses to serve residents and employees in the southern part of town.
  • Reduce potential residential buildout.

Commercial and Industrial Rezonings

Amend the Zoning By-Law in anticipation of market demands for commercial and industrial sites to position the Town for further economic growth.

Rezone area on West Central Street (Route 140) from Rural Residential 1 to Industrial - approximately 43 acres.

  • Rezone the middle area of Grove Street on the west side, from Rural Residential 1 to Industrial - approximately 104 acres.
  • Rezone land adjacent to Franklin Industrial Park southerly toward Wrentham from Rural Residential 1 to Industrial - approximately 195 acres.
  • Expand commercial zones at intersection of King Street and East Central Street (Route 140) and deepen along East Central Street.

Note: These two figures have been excerpted from the text of the Land Use Section and an additional column has been added to reflect the potential impacts of contemplated zoning changes. The additional column is labeled "2005 Re-Zoned".

Franklin Land Use in Acres

Industrial Zoning - Trends and Predictions

Reduce Residential Buildout

Adopt strategies having the effect of reducing the overall number of residential units expected at buildout.

Since it may not always be feasible to acquire land in order to reduce overall residential buildout, zoning changes should also be considered. Specifically, areas of town predominantly in forest and farmland, including Chapter 61 and 61A land, should be rezoned to a new Agricultural/Residential zone with less residential density. Land currently in recreation use, including Chapter 61B land, should be rezoned to a new Recreational/Residential zone, with a primary use of recreation and a secondary use of a zone with less residential density.

Require that a minimum, standard lot configuration (Build Factor) be applied to all new lots, with different requirements for conventional and open space subdivisions.