ZBA Gives Green Light to E. Central 40B

It was a project initially embraced by the Town administration and most of the members of the last Town Council -- an "affordable"  project sought by the developer under the state's 40B law, which allows such projects to largely override local regulations. But this one was supposed to be a "friendly" 40B with the town and the developer working toward a shared goal.

Maybe that could have happened, but the scale of the project  brought out abutters in droves and its location along perhaps the most traffic-clogged street in Franklin, helped spur broader opposition. across the town  When the town continued to make the way clear for the project, its future became one of the factors that helped propel seven new members onto the Council in November.

But, the state law tips the scales mostly in favor of developers and attempting to scupper a deal, especially one that has advanced so far, is almost guaranteed to lead to legal action that the town would likely lose, say project supporters and those who merely consider themselves to be realists.

Those were the broad issues at stake in Tuesday night's meeting, which lasted for more than four hours. Most of that time involved reviewing and negotiating some of the details outlined in a `draft decision.' And that draft, with some small amendments, was what the ZBA voted on, almost literally at the 11th hour.  

So fractious has the issue been that all three members felt compelled to explain and justify their feelings. Ginelle Lang, the newest member of the board, stressed that she felt many of the issues raised by abutters had been dealt with to a considerable degree by the applicant. She also said she was persuaded of the need for more housing, even though this particular project would not do much, if anything, to help the town coffers with tax revenue.

Chair Bruce Hunchard said one of his top issues was ensuring that the property owner could finally get funds for retirement by completing the sale of the  property that had been in the family for generations.

For his part, Robert Acevedo said he was concerned by the depth and breadth of opposition to the project.

So, when the vote came, Lang and Hunchard  voted to approve the Decision and Acevedo voted no. And the Ayes carried the day.