Planning Board Fends Off Summer Street Project Until October

Housing advocate, Mark Minnichelli, added his own negative view of the project to the testimony Monday evening.

It’s a project that has not made friends, despite being ostensibly
friendly for senior citizens. The continuation of a hearing process
begun earlier in the year before the Franklin Planning Board for 488
and 496 Summer Street, absorbed much of the meeting Monday night, with the
developer’s team touting changes made since the most recent
meeting, and Board members expressing continued concerns and reservations
aplenty.

A large number of residents also came out, all with specific
objections. They were joined the Director of Camp
Haiastan,  Kenar Charchaflian. The camp is located behind the proposed project. She was also joined by two other people affiliated with the Camp.

Their specific concern was with expected runoff from the site, which
could impact newly repaired athletic facilities as well as on on-site
septic system

Other residents complained about lights, traffic, disruption and disturbances
from vehicles coming and going

But the objections raised by Mark Minnichelli, who is not an abutter,
came from an unexpected perspective. Minnichelli is involved with
Building Equitable Neighborhoods (BEN), a group that has unceasingly advocated
for more housing in Franklin. However, he questioned how a project
with steep slopes and stairs could be appropriate for senior
citizens, especially in the winter and agreed with the others that it wasn't an appropriate project. 

The Board finally suggested that the developer return, perhaps with a
less dense project. The matter is expected to come before the board
again in October.