Traditional

Neighborhood Design

Traditional Neighborhood Design

Downtown Concord Proposed Village Center,

South Weymouth Naval Air Station

Source: MA Smart Growth Toolkit - Traditional Neighborhood Development, 2007

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 Traditional Neighborhood Development
• Also known as New Urbanism, village-style development, or neo-traditional planning.
• Uses traditional cities, town centers, villages as a model for the future.
• Builds Community - Community-Oriented Design.
• Balances public and private space to enhance identity and value.
• Vibrant Neighborhood Districts
• Mixed Uses in a compact area is extremely important:
- Normally 3 or more major uses - residential, retail/restaurants/services, office,
municipal, arts/cultural, recreation, entertainment, and other civic
and institutional uses.
• Uses existing infrastructure.
• Compatible architecture.
• Transit oriented development where possible.
• Reduces sprawl and related costs.
• Potential to reduce auto ownership.
• Reduce vehicle trips and commute times.
• Mix of housing types and costs.
• Increases affordability.
• Promotes walkability.
• Promotes health and safety.

Source: MA Smart Growth Toolkit - Traditional Neighborhood Development, 2007 MASHPEE, MA

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MASHPEE, MA

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Is New Downtown Commercial
Zoning District needed?

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 Reasons for New Downtown
Commercial Zoning District
“Downtown Core”
Core” is unlike other portions of Commercial I
Zoning District
– Should have different allowed by-right uses
– Should have different dimensional requirements
Traditional Neighborhood Development
Encourage mix of retail and restaurants on first floor, and
office and residential uses in upper stories
Provide by-
by-right transit-
transit-oriented, mixed-
mixed-use development in
Franklin’
Franklin’s “Downtown Core”
Core”
– Remove the cost and uncertainty of obtaining Special Permits in
Downtown Core for mixed use development.
– If mixed use development is allowed by right, there should be specific
parking requirements
Community Revitalization
– Economic Viability of Downtown

Encourage mix of retail

and restaurants on first
floor, and office and
residential uses in
Housing upper stories

Office/Housing

Retail

Parking

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 Roadside Design

Dimensional Requirements

Setbacks

Current Downtown Triangle Front Setbacks

26.25’

23.33’

7.33’

15.75’

1 12.25’

5
.

9.75’ 0’

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 Current New Structure Front Setbacks in Downtown Triangle

20’

20’

7.33’

15.75’

1 12.25’

5
.

9.75’ 0’

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Smart Growth Illustrated, Pictures
Eighth & Pearl, Boulder, Colorado

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 Roadside Design
• Roadside zones
• Public places
• Placement of roadside
facilities
• Public art
• Sidewalk width and
function
• Pedestrian buffers
• Sidewalk/driveway/alley
crossings
• Street furniture
• Utilities
• Landscaping/street trees
Source: ITE CNU Street Design Workshop, Boulder CO, Nov. 16, 2006

Roadside Design
Roadside zones:
– Edge Zone
– Furnishings Zone
– Throughway Zone (ADA)
– Frontage Zone

Function and dimensions

vary by Context Zone and
Adjacent Land Use

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 Furnishings Zone
In Commercial Context

Source: http://ite.org/css/

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Dimensional Requirements

Lot Coverage

Building Envelope in Current CI District

15’ 15’

0’ 0’

0’ 0’
55 West 51 West
Central Street Central Street

16,300 s.f. Total 19,600 s.f. Total

Buildable Area Buildable Area

20’ 20’
5

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 Building Envelope in Proposed DC District

15’ 15’

5’ 5’

5’ 5’
55 West 51 West
Central Street Central Street

15,700 s.f. Total 19,000 s.f. Total

Buildable Area Buildable Area

5’ 5’
4

Alternative Building Envelope in Proposed DC District

15’ 15’

0’ 0’ 0’ 0’

55 West 51 West
Central Street Central Street

17,750 s.f. Total 20,000 s.f. Total

Buildable Area Buildable Area

5’ 5 5’ 6
’

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Dimensional Requirements

Shadows, Building Height,

Enclosure

Digital Model of the Current Downtown

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 3 Stories or 40 Feet By-Right in Proposed DC District

5 Stories or 60 Feet by Special Permit in Current CI District

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 Summary of Issues where
Consensus was reached
• Does Franklin need a new
Downtown Commercial Zoning District? (no solid consensus)
• Use Regulations Changes?
Residential: No single family. Allow residential in upper floors.
Commercial: Some minor changes in use: Filing station; garden center
Allow service businesses and professional uses on all floors.
By Right Mixed Use? ____ (most appear in favor)
• Dimensional Requirements
Lot Dimensions: Keep the same except change Depth to 50 feet
Setbacks: Front 5’ setback on 1st floor. Side 0’ Rear 15’
Coverage: Buildings __ Pavement __ (no solid consensus)
Height: Stories/Ft. By Right 3 Stories (no change)
Special Permit: 4th Floor May be granted by Planning Board SP
Parking Requirements:
Residential: 1.5 spaces per housing unit. Commercial: 0 (No change)
Mixed Use Only? _____

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