OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Framingham City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026: Zoning, Parking, and World Cup Planning

City Council — Tuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyFramingham, Massachusetts
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:31:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

The City Council is the sole legislative body of the city of Framingham and is therefore responsible for passing city ordinances.

0:07

The city council is made up of 11 members who exercise the legislative powers of Framingham.

0:12

Two of these members are known as counselors at large, and nine members are known as district counselors.

0:16

The city council serves as a link between the citizens of Framingham and their municipal government.

0:21

Councillors help constituents by connecting them to resources, services, and city departments.

0:25

And also serve as advocates for all Framingham residents.

0:29

The following city council coverage is brought to you by the government channel, a service of the city of Framingham.

1:05

We need to uh we're in open session at this time.

1:10

And I would accept a motion to go into executive session.

1:16

Motion to go for the purposes stated on the agenda specifically uh to discuss pending litigation.

1:25

So move.

1:26

Second.

1:27

Move by Miss Long, second by Miss Feeney.

1:30

All those in favor, start here in the rooms.

1:33

I don't know who's on Zoom other than Mr.

1:34

Cannon.

1:34

So Ms.

1:35

Long.

1:36

Yes.

1:36

Yes.

1:37

Yes.

1:38

Yes.

1:38

Yes, Mr.

1:39

Cannon.

1:41

Yes.

1:42

Okay.

1:42

Is anyone else on Zoom at this time?

1:45

No.

1:46

Me.

1:48

It looks like Janet Tracy.

1:50

Okay.

1:50

I cannot see you don't know if I was Janet, your favorite executive session.

1:54

Yes.

1:55

Yes.

1:55

Okay.

1:56

You're doing okay?

1:58

Yeah, I wearing it.

2:01

And Tracy, in your favorite?

2:03

Yes.

2:04

Yes.

2:05

Okay.

2:06

Good evening, and uh thank you for coming to the Fairing Sea.

2:10

Council meeting of 421.

2:18

First of all, at the um outset tonight, I would like to congratulate Councilor Ward for his uh finishing the Boston Marathon yesterday and being here with us today.

2:30

An accomplishment.

2:32

And uh even more of an accomplishment to be with us tonight.

2:41

All right.

2:42

I started the meeting slightly before I was ready because I thought it was the right thing to do, so just give me one second.

2:48

Uh we have minutes um from March 17th.

2:51

Motion to approve.

2:52

Motion to approve.

2:54

Okay, moved by Miss Feeney, seconded by Mr.

2:56

Adiviani.

2:57

Um so I will be back on to my list of uh roll call votes.

3:03

Uh just for the clarification, by the way.

3:05

Uh six of us here in the room and online is counselors uh Canon, Adaviani, Brian, and Lee and Bruno.

3:12

And as of this time, Councilor Alexander is not with us tonight.

3:15

I believe he's away.

3:17

Okay.

3:18

So moves and seconded in favor of the minutes, all votes tonight will be roll call votes to the remote participants.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Zoning█████████9%
Public Engagement██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Technology and Innovation██████6%
Urban Agriculture██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Framingham City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Framingham City Council held a regular meeting on April 21, 2026, covering a wide range of topics including zoning amendments, a parking garage acquisition, electric vehicle charging stations, and planning for World Cup celebrations. The meeting began with an executive session and included multiple public hearings, votes, and discussions.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from March 17th: Approved unanimously.
  • Proclamation for First Baptist Church of Framingham 200th Anniversary: Adopted.
  • Earth Day Proclamation: Adopted on an 8-2 roll call vote (Councillors Malik and Long opposed).
  • Appointment of Jack Drury to Cable Advisory Board: Approved unanimously.
  • Referral of Sharia Shar to School Building Committee: Referred to appointment subcommittee.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christopher Laurent (1575 Concord St): Requested funding for improved crosswalk/pedestrian light on Concord Street, citing 18 of 20 cars running red lights.
  • Phil Altman (266 Waverly St): Spoke against the proposed parking garage at 97 Franklin Street. Directed to speak later under that agenda item.
  • Mr. Bloomfield: Expressed concerns about rising city taxes, hiring freezes, debt service, and tax overrides. Urged council to prioritize key issues.
  • Donna Otafar (online): Commented on zoning amendments, urging a citywide approach rather than district-by-district.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing - Eversource/Verizon Pole on Pearl Street: Verizon had not paid its $300 fee. Council voted to approve pending payment (8-2).
  • Public Hearing - Zoning Amendments for G Zone (FAR 0.50): Recommended by Planning & Zoning Subcommittee to limit large houses. Debated the appropriate FAR number. Continued to June 2, 2026.
  • Continued Public Hearing - Eagle Rock Project (Map Change for Mixed-Use): Extensive discussion on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding affordable housing, rental vs. ownership, trails, and conservation. Owner expressed openness to ownership but noted financial constraints. Planning Board Chair Cosgrove advocated for a friendly 40B approach to increase subsidized housing inventory. Councilors split between wanting more homeownership and accepting rental with higher affordability. Continued to June 16, 2026.
  • Police Chief Baker - World Cup Planning: Chief stated that due to FIFA events (seven Super Bowls worth of security demands across the Commonwealth), Framingham cannot host a large public watch party. He emphasized public safety and resource limitations. Mayor took responsibility for not consulting council earlier. Council expressed respect for the decision but encouraged better communication in the future.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Lincoln & Arthur Streets: Debate over overnight charging vs. daytime use. Councilor Cannon opposed Lincoln Street location due to parking scarcity. After discussion, the five-year contract was approved 6-4; the parking modification (24-hour EV only vs. 12-hour) passed 5-4-1 (Councillor Bryant abstained).
  • Community Preservation Act (CPA) Projects: 13 projects totaling $3,533,500 approved unanimously after brief presentations on Eastley Farm, Nixon Road, Carlson Crossing, and Washakum Beach Engineering.
  • Other Items: Fuel license amendment for 711 Inc., second-hand junk licenses for Roadshow Concepts, annual license renewals, Juniper Farms ice cream hawker-peddler license, and $20,000 transfer for handicapped parking enforcement all passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Order of Taking for 97 Franklin Street (Parking Garage): Approved unanimously (10-0). Property acquired via friendly eminent domain for $2,712,500, funded by bond issue; state contributing $10.5M for design/construction.
  • Funding for FY26 Budget Shortfalls: Approved unanimously: $272,907 from free cash to general fund (for energy costs); $84,262 from retained earnings to water enterprise fund.
  • Park and Recreation Union Contract (Local 1156): Year one funding of $59,053 approved unanimously.
  • Special Meeting on Legal Issues: Set for April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM (executive session).
  • Referred to Finance Subcommittee: Opioid stabilization funds for RISE grant.

Meeting Transcript

The City Council is the sole legislative body of the city of Framingham and is therefore responsible for passing city ordinances. The city council is made up of 11 members who exercise the legislative powers of Framingham. Two of these members are known as counselors at large, and nine members are known as district counselors. The city council serves as a link between the citizens of Framingham and their municipal government. Councillors help constituents by connecting them to resources, services, and city departments. And also serve as advocates for all Framingham residents. The following city council coverage is brought to you by the government channel, a service of the city of Framingham. We need to uh we're in open session at this time. And I would accept a motion to go into executive session. Motion to go for the purposes stated on the agenda specifically uh to discuss pending litigation. So move. Second. Move by Miss Long, second by Miss Feeney. All those in favor, start here in the rooms. I don't know who's on Zoom other than Mr. Cannon. So Ms. Long. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, Mr. Cannon. Yes. Okay. Is anyone else on Zoom at this time? No. Me. It looks like Janet Tracy. Okay. I cannot see you don't know if I was Janet, your favorite executive session. Yes. Yes. Okay. You're doing okay? Yeah, I wearing it. And Tracy, in your favorite? Yes. Yes. Okay. Good evening, and uh thank you for coming to the Fairing Sea. Council meeting of 421. First of all, at the um outset tonight, I would like to congratulate Councilor Ward for his uh finishing the Boston Marathon yesterday and being here with us today. An accomplishment. And uh even more of an accomplishment to be with us tonight. All right. I started the meeting slightly before I was ready because I thought it was the right thing to do, so just give me one second. Uh we have minutes um from March 17th. Motion to approve.

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