The first project has been proposed for a six-acre site near theGrove Street and Beaver Road intersection. Evergreen ResidentialCorp., working with Boston Funding Corp., wants to build a 140-unitproject in the industrial-zoned site. It would be developed underChapter 40B, which would allow the developer to bypass local zoninglaws if at least 25% of the project is affordable and the town doesnot have 10% affordable housing. According to Ross Altobelli,Franklin's assistant planner, the town has a little more than 5%affordable housing.

"We're not happy," Altobelli tells GlobeSt.com. "We recentlyrezoned the area industrial to try to concentrate businesses inland that is good for them. But 40Bs can go in anywhere." The siteabuts Route 495 and Evergreen has met with the town and indicatedthat it plans to file for a comprehensive permit.

Meanwhile, Lorusso Corp. has a purchase and sale agreement for a35-acre parcel directly across from Evergreen's site. The sale iscontingent on the company's plan to get approval for a 250-unitproject for the property. That project will also be filed underChapter 40B.