New bylaw could lead to greater business park density in Framingham
Framingham Town Meeting voters this week approved a new zoning bylaw that officials say will allow businesses in three of the town’s technology parks to add space by building upward, while also protecting open space from residential development.
The bylaw would allow owners of residentially-zoned land with more than five acres to sell their development rights to companies that want to add square footage at their offices in one of the town’s three “43D” sites, which are business parks subject to streamlined permitting under state law.
Three parks subject to new bylaw
The Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) bylaw is part of the town’s strategy to encourage growth at the three business parks, which include the Framingham Technology Park and the 9/90 Corporate Center, which are located on opposite sides or Route 9 near Exit 12 off the Massachusetts Turnpike, and at TJX Cos.’ corporate headquarters on Cochituate Road, just off Exit 13 of the highway.
At least one company is interested in expanding in the Framingham Technology Park: Town Manager Robert Halpin said in a recent interview that Bose Corp. bought land adjacent to its headquarters, which overlook the park from the Bose “mountain.” Meanwhile, Genzyme is expanding its footprint in the park.
But the new bylaw allows companies to build upward, adding up to two stories to the previous maximum of six allowed by the town, while increasing their floor area-ratios by up to 35 percent. Town Planner Amanda Loomis explained that the ratio represents the percentage of the entire parcel that the building’s footprint takes up.
Loomis said the TDR bylaw is a “smart growth” tool that allows for reasonable expansion projects that will help companies grow while boosting the local workforce, with caps that protect the town from overdevelopment.
“We don’t want them to be able to build 20 stories and be the equivalent of the John Hancock,” Loomis said.
Capping subdivision growth?
While the town is providing the tools to encourage this growth, Loomis said Town Hall is otherwise “completely staying out of this.” Sales of development rights will be negotiated between the residential land owners and the companies privately and at fair market value, she said.
In addition to economic development benefits, Loomis said TDR bylaws are useful in protecting open space from residential development, which can put a strain on town infrastructure and services, such as the public schools. It’s also a good way to protect the environment, Loomis said.
The TDR bylaw took effect with the Town Meeting vote, but it must win the approval of Attorney General Maura Healey.
Image source: Freedigitalphotos.net
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