Southborough Wicked Local reports that Framingham’s Planning Board is proposing an “Innovation District” along their side of the Southborough border. The idea behind a mixed-use zone is to encourage economic development.
Some area residents voiced worries about traffic impacts if the town succeeds:
Planning Board Administrator Amanda Loomis said the proposed “Corporate Innovation District” could add housing, restaurants, medical offices and other uses within walking distance of the 9/90 Corporate Center, across from the Tech Park.
The new zoning district would support economic development while creating an environment in which people can live, work and play, Loomis said. . .
Loomis said there are 32 parcels in the proposed district, and only three of them are undeveloped — the state’s Park & Ride lot on Rte. 9 East and two parcels in the 9/90 Center, where Staples and Cumberland Farms have their corporate headquarters.
Residents applauded when Loomis said the town would redraw a map of the overlay district to remove undeveloped land the state owns at the Mass. Turnpike Exit 12 ramps, close to Goodnow Lane. . .
When redrawn, the district will border the Southborough town line on the south and west and run along the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 12 and north to the rail line and edge of the Tech Park, west to Pleasant Street Connector.
For more details, including resident comments, click here.
