Planning Board

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The Framingham Planning Board is responsible for guiding growth and development in the community.

Board/Commission Duties

• In accordance with M.G.L c. 41, the Planning Board shall be responsible for, but not limited to:
  • Preparation, adoption, amendments, and the implementation of a Master Plan for the City of Framingham under M.G.L. c. 41, Section 81D.
  • Preparation of an official Zoning Map under M.G.L c. 41, Section 81E
  • Draft and submittal of zoning amendments for consideration by the City Council (M.G.L. c. 40A, Section 5).
  • Adoption, administration, and amendments of the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in Framingham (M.G.L c. 41, Section 81K).
  • Special Permit Granting Authority, when applicable.
  • Site Plan Review approval, when applicable.
  • Administer Public Way Access Ordinance, when applicable.
  • Recommend the designation of scenic roads and hold public hearings on requests regarding the Scenic Roads Act.
  • Acts as an adviser on other municipal land use regulations.
  • Land use and development reviewing and planning body.
  • The full description is available here. 

Membership Responsibilities

• Review Site Plan Review, Special Permit, Approval Not Required (ANR), Preliminary Subdivision, Definitive Subdivision, Scenic Roadway Modification, Public Way Access Permit applications that have been submitted for review by a landowner or developer
• Maintain, review, update the Master Land Use Plan, Subdivision Rules and Regulations, and Zoning By-Laws, in addition to other land-use plans
• Develop planning studies related to land use, transportation, housing, and economic development
• Work as a team to meet the goals of a Plan-Build-Grow Model of Development

Member Skillset

• Although there is no one specific set of skills required for members of the Planning Board, those seeking membership should possess a diverse background that demonstrates experience in land use activities in addition to at a minimum, basic knowledge of zoning by-laws and land use policies and the application thereof.
• General Information that members of the Planning Board need to be versed in, include:
  • Working knowledge of Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.)
  • Understanding of construction, engineering, architecture, zoning, permitting, and/or land-use policies
• Members should be invested in the development and redevelopment of Framingham to ensure proper growth occurs by employing best practices in land use policies and zoning ordinances, provide a variety of housing options, work collaboratively with landowners and business owners on land use proposals and applications while maintaining a balance that provides for the preservation of open space and recreational opportunities.

Meeting Information

Meeting dates/occurrence:

• Currently, the Planning Board meets two times a month. Meetings are held on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.
• When zoning by-laws are proposed, the Planning Board may meet more often during the public hearing process to accommodate the existing workload of applications. All meetings are scheduled based on the members’ availability if additional meetings are required.
• The Planning Board adopted the Mullin Rule (M.G.L. c. 39, Section 23D) to allow members to miss one meeting per hearing during the review of a project if needed. If a member is to use the Mullin Rule, then the member is required to file applicable documentation with the City Clerk after reviewing the materials for the missed meeting.