🔨 We’ve Achieved MBTA Communities Compliance
Nobscot development proposal draws fierce resident opposition | Converting Dorms into Apartments | Op Ed: Pass the Specialized Code | Community Events | The Civic Week Ahead
Good evening, Framingham.
Huge shout out to the Framingham Garden Club for being recognized with 15 awards at the recent Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts annual meeting! Three were National Awards specifically for the FGC and two additional National Awards were given for district-wide programs created by FGC members. To read the list of awards, please visit their Facebook page.
Congratulations FGC! Not only do you make Framingham beautiful, you make us proud!
NEWS & UPDATES
1.| Framingham achieves MBTA Communities Law compliance
After more than a year of chaotic Council meetings and neighborhood battles, Mayor Sisitsky's deadline-looming-action has worked - Framingham is now officially compliant.
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities confirmed MTA Communities Act compliance on July 9
Sisitsky submitted existing Central Business District zoning on December 23, 2024, bypassing ongoing Council debates
The city now qualifies for MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund grants
Why it matters: This compliance ends a contentious saga that saw Council meetings run until 11 p.m., residents fighting over parcels, and what I called in one issue "hokey pokey" with zoning maps.
By the numbers:
Land Area: The Central Business District (CBD) spans 225 acres, well above the required minimum of 50 acres.
Multi-family Unit Capacity: The CBD has a capacity for 5,348 multi-family units, exceeding the law's minimum requirement of 4,355 units.
Density: An estimated density of 25.4 dwelling units per acre, surpassing the law's 15 units per acre threshold.
Transit-Oriented Development: At least 40% of the district's required land area and unit capacity is located within transit station areas.
What Sisitsky submitted instead: With the December 31, 2024 deadline looming and the Council tabling the MBTA discussion to February, Mayor Sisitsky submitted the 2015 Town Meeting-approved Central Business District zoning. Submitting the existing CBD did not require any change to current zoning.
The CBD zoning was submitted for initial compliance back in 2023.
Background: After five months of Planning Board discussion and meetings, the Sisitsky Administration unveiled its plan to comply with the new state MBTA Communities Act in September 2024. The original plan created new zoning that would create 4506 units in Downtown, Nobscot, Old State Lumber site in Saxonville, 9/90, Shoppers World, and Speen Street.
After much backlash, the Administration submitted a new round of maps in November creating 4634 units, and swapped out Old State Lumber for Pinefield in Saxonville, and kept the rest of the areas in the September map.
The Council held a series of long meetings and kept their public hearing open for more feedback. It was a long series of months that caused a lot of anger and frustration.
To this day, the Council has never voted on the MBTA Communities Act.
Meanwhile, this summer the Council has been debating on whether or not to shrink the size the CBD. (more on this in an upcoming issue)
What they're saying: "This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community," said Mayor Sisitsky. "We are excited to move forward with the opportunities this opens up."
The grants: Sisitsky cited protecting state funding as his primary motivation for the Christmas Eve Eve submission.
According to the recent press release from his office, “Framingham is now eligible to access funding through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund, a grant program designed to support municipalities as they plan and implement housing developments in areas near public transit. This fund is part of the Community One Stop for Growth program, which streamlines the application process for communities seeking financial support.”
The bottom line: Sisitsky's use of existing zoning ended a year-plus political saga while securing state compliance and funding access.
2.| Nobscot development proposal draws fierce resident opposition
J&Co unveiled a plan for 400 housing units at the contentious Edmands Road site to a packed room, but many neighbors made clear they remain opposed to any development.
Community meeting last week: The Waltham-based developer hosted a community meeting July 9 at Heritage to provide an update on their project. The concept plan featured various housing-types, including townhomes and multi-family, with ownership and rental opportunities.
And yes, a rezoning of the area is still on the table as J&Co legal counsel Jeffrey Roelofs, who led the meeting, stated J&Co will be asking for a rezoning and a special permit.
Breakdown of the new plan:
400 units across 31 acres
Townhomes on the perimeter
Duplexes, triplexes, and some 4-5 unit buildings
2.5-story height limit
No retail or commercial space
67.7% of the site will be open space
Vegetated buffers near residential properties
Rural streetscapes along Edmands & Edgell
Potential expansion of Nobscot Park
What they're saying: "We think it's just sensible land planning," said Roelofs, calling it "a sensible transition between single-family neighborhoods and higher-density uses." And continued to stress this project falls in line with the city’s master plan for Nobscot.
Resident concerns: Residents expressed their frustration about the plan, citing issues of infrastructure strain, like water and sewer, traffic congestion, high density, environmental concerns, blasting, visual impacts, and questioning who is involved behind the scenes.
What's next: J&Co says they'll continue soliciting community feedback, but many in the room were blunt to Roelofs saying that this plan is a non-starter and they don’t want it rezoned.
The bottom line: Any zoning changes require City Council approval, and Wednesday's meeting showed the uphill battle J&Co faces in Nobscot.
Question: What do you think of the plan? Were you at the meeting? I’d love to hear from you. Email me.
3.| FSU converts Linsley Hall to faculty housing with $6.6M state funding
Framingham State University will transform an underutilized residence hall into 32 affordable apartments for faculty, staff, and graduate students.
The project uses Fair Share Amendment funding approved by Massachusetts voters in 2022
Construction begins Winter 2026 with occupancy targeted for Spring 2027
The building will also serve external educational organizations including The Learning Center for the Deaf and Framingham Public Schools
Why it matters: The conversion addresses the regional housing crunch while giving new life to a building that sits empty during the academic year.
By the numbers:
$6.6M: Total Fair Share funding allocation
32 apartments: 6 two-bedroom, 6 three-bedroom, 20 studios
$1.3B: Fair Share surplus generated statewide for legislative allocation
The housing crisis connection: "Many new faculty and other employees who are transitioning to this area need a temporary place to stay as they look for housing," said FSU President Nancy Niemi.
Bonus project: The funding will also install air conditioning at Larned Hall, replacing Linsley's role as the only AC-equipped dorm for summer housing.
What they're saying: "It allows us to take a building that was no longer serving the University and convert it into a facility that will benefit FSU and other educational organizations in our region," Niemi said.
Thank you: FSU thanked Senate President Karen Spilka and the local state delegation for supporting the project.
OPINION
Pass the Specialized Code: Good for the climate, good for Framingham
On June 23, the Framingham City Council’s Subcommittee on Environment and Sustainability voted 3-0 to adopt a proposed new building code known as the Opt-in Specialized building Code. The full City Council will hold a hearing about it on August 19, with a vote to take place at a subsequent City Council meeting.
With multiple new buildings planned for Framingham, we need the Specialized Code to be adopted as soon as possible, joining neighbors like Natick, Ashland, Wayland, Sudbury, Hopkinton, and Worcester.
The Specialized Code requires that new construction either be built without fossil fuels (using electricity for heating, cooling, and appliances) or pre-wired to be fossil-fuel-free in the future.
It also calls for new homes over 4,000 square feet to have solar panels if they’re not shaded (no need to cut down trees) or some renewable energy source.
Finally, very large homes (over 12,000 square feet) would need to meet the Passive House energy efficiency standard with extensive insulation, air sealing, and use of sun and shade to minimize heating and cooling needs.
Why pass the Specialized Code? To start, adoption would be the last major step to qualifying Framingham as a Climate Leader Community, eligible for up to $1 million in new state grants. It would also:
protect residents and businesses from rising oil and gas costs
avoid the future cost of retrofitting buildings to meet the state’s 2050 climate goals
improve residents’ health, given that gas stoves and other gas appliances cause 15 percent of cases of asthma in Massachusetts
reduce Framingham’s greenhouse gas emissions – burning fossil fuels in buildings
accounts for 35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts
Won’t it make housing unaffordable?
No. The Specialized Code adds very minimally to building costs (1-4 percent according to several reports) and is already used in affordable housing construction. It gives builders options: building all-electric buildings, building with fossil fuel systems but pre-wiring for future electric heating and appliances, or building to the Passive House standard.
In the past three years, Framingham has approved nearly 800 new housing units spread among 12 multifamily developments, according to the city’s Planning & Community Development Department. As for projects in the approval pipeline, the Shoppers World project alone would add 224 housing units in addition to retail space. Wouldn’t it be good if these were built with an eye toward a clean energy future and keeping residents’ energy costs low?
And don’t forget: The Framingham City Council passed a Climate Emergency Declaration three years ago, in June 2022. Let’s not make those empty words. It’s time to act.
More details about the Specialized Code in this factsheet.
Nancy Fliesler, Larry Stoodt, and Aimee Powelka
Energize Framingham
Editor’s note: Have something to share with The Ham’er community? I’m seeking opinion pieces. Email me and let’s chat about it.
Community Events
Good Trouble: Framingham Joins National Action
Why it matters: Framingham residents will join a nationwide movement on July 20 to honor civil rights icon John Lewis and push back against threats to civil and human rights. This local event is part of the "Good Trouble Lives On" Day of Action, emphasizing peaceful, nonviolent advocacy.
The big picture: Inspired by Lewis's call to make "good trouble, necessary trouble," participants will demand an end to attacks on voting, protest, and organizing freedoms. The event also stands against efforts to criminalize communities, roll back rights, and cut public programs.
How to participate:
When: Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 3:00 - 4:30 PM.
Where: Framingham Centre Historical Common (Vernon Street & Edgell Road, Framingham, MA 01701).
Register: To attend, visit: GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON: Framingham, MA, SUNDAY, JULY 20! · John Lewis Actions
Learn More: Find out more about the national campaign at www.goodtroubleliveson.org.
Framingham Seeks Purple Heart Recipients for August Ceremony
Framingham will host its second Purple Heart Ceremony on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Memorial Building.
Event honors Purple Heart recipients living in Framingham and Gold Star families of deceased recipients with city ties
8:00 am breakfast followed by 9:00 am formal tribute in Historic Nevins Hall
Application deadline is July 31, 2025
Why it matters: Framingham became a Purple Heart City in 2023, joining communities nationwide that formally recognize these wounded warriors and their families.
The significance: August 7 marks the anniversary of the Purple Heart's original establishment as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington in 1782.
Who can apply:
Purple Heart recipients currently living in Framingham
Family members of deceased Purple Heart recipients with Framingham ties
Recipients honored in 2023 are not eligible for the 2025 ceremony
How to participate: Complete the Purple Heart application form on the City of Framingham website by July 31.
Contact info:
Veterans Council Chair Robert Downing: vetchair@framinghamMA.gov
Public Information Officer Susan Scully Petroni: spetroni@framinghamma.gov
The Civic Week Ahead
Tuesday, July 15
Wednesday, July 16
Thursday, July 17
Friday, July 18
11:00am: 325th Anniversary Celebration-Arts & Culture Subcommittee Agenda
In Closing…
Enjoy the week!
Believe in Framingham,
