Zoning Change Approved for 350,000-SF Mixed-Use Project

FRAMINGHAM, MA-Rosewood Management Associates’ plan to develop a mixed-use project in the Dennison Building complex got the green light as Town Meeting approved a zoning change for the 350,000-sf project.

The project’s zoning was changed from manufacturing to mixed-use. The change required the town to expand the borders of its central business district to include the complex, which currently consists of five buildings. The new designation will enable the developer to put residential units in two of the five buildings. Rosewood will also be adding a parking structure to the site.

Kathy Bartolini, director of the city’s planning department, tells GlobeSt.com that Rosewood had initially planned the project as 100% office space, but when they indicated that they wanted to add the residential component the town was supportive of the move. Rosewood’s plan calls for building between 170 to 200 units.

The town considered requiring the developer to have 10% of the units be affordable but abutters were opposed to the idea and the amendment failed. Rosewood has indicated that it wants the units to be 100% market rate. The town currently has more than 0% affordable housing–a state requirement to avoid allowing developers to bypass local zoning laws with affordable housing projects–but she points out that the town is just over the 10%. “Every time someone builds something, our numbers could slip under the requirement,” says Bartolini.