On Track for More Growth

For better or for worse, the Town of Franklin has announced that it has been declared fully compliant with the Commonwealth's Controversial MBTA Zoning Law mandating denser zoning near T stations.  The news release is reproduced below:

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that it has achieved formal compliance with the Commonwealth’s MBTA Communities law,
also known as Section 3A of the Zoning Act. As of June 2026, Franklin
is the 157th municipality in Massachusetts to comply with the law.

The
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) recently
completed its review of Franklin’s compliance application and confirmed
that the Town’s designated General Residential V, Commercial I, Crossing
Neighborhood and Downtown Commercial districts meet the requirements of
Section 3A and the state’s implementing regulations.

Franklin
is designated as a Commuter Rail community under the law. The Town’s
compliance district includes approximately 103.6 acres and provides for
an estimated 1,955 multifamily housing units, with at least 75% of the
required land area and unit capacity located within one-half mile of a
transit station.

EOHLC
recognized the Town’s work to meet the requirements of the MBTA
Communities law and formally determined that Franklin’s district
satisfies the state’s compliance requirements.

“This
is an important milestone for Franklin and reflects a great deal of
work by Town staff, boards and committees,” said Town Administrator
Jamie Hellen. “The Town has worked to meet the requirements of the MBTA
Communities law while taking a thoughtful approach to planning for
Franklin’s future and the housing needs of our community.”

Franklin’s formal compliance also makes the Town eligible to apply for funding through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, part of the Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth program.

The
Town will continue to consider housing, infrastructure, sustainability
and long-term planning as it works to support Franklin’s future.