Our neighborhood, our voices
Your source for updates about the Nobscot neighborhood in Framingham and its community
We need your response to an unbiased survey about the future of Nobscot. The survey asks your opinions about development on land near the southwest corner of Edmands and Edgell that is currently zoned for one house per acre. Developer J&Co. have proposed rezoning for 357 housing units on 28 acres. City Council could vote on rezoning this parcel this fall.
Your voice matters. Now, more than ever, our City officials need to know your opinion.
Our goal is to survey every voter in Nobscot. All responses will be held strictly confidential and the overall findings will be shared with the community and City officials. This survey is conducted by the Friends of Nobscot, a group of neighbors.
Take the survey online or stop by when you see our table at the McAuliffe library in August.
Latest News
What J&Co is proposing for the Nobscot parcel
In June 2026 J&Co met with the City Council’s Planning and Zoning Subcommittee to propose rezoning about 28 acres of undeveloped land near the intersection of Edmands and Edgell. We’ve collected together their proposals and presentations so residents will know the facts.
Learn more about the Nobscot woodlands
Hidden behind single family homes, businesses and the city’s Nobscot Park lie many acres of undeveloped land, much of it woodlands with trails. The land offers both ecological benefits and the opportunity for community open space in a beautiful setting.
Design guidelines for Nobscot Village steer its future development
In 2015, the Town of Framingham hired Cecil Group to prepare plans that could guide development decisions in both the Nobscot and Saxonville villages. The plan addresses zoning revisions, public investment and engagement with private sector owners and developers. It informed the community’s decision to adopt village zoning and it will continue to guide future development.
Nobscot residents have a long history of commitment to the future of their neighborhood and the city
For the past 15 years, engaged citizens have been working to create and realize a vision for the Nobscot neighborhood. Through active collaboration with Framingham boards and staff, residents have influenced their neighborhood’s evolution. Their hard work over the years enabled new housing, as well as B-4 zoning for re-development in Nobscot Village.
Here’s a timeline of community collaboration that involved hundreds of local residents working with city leaders to guide Nobscot’s future:
2010 - The Nobscot Plaza, a six-acre parcel on the southeast corner of the Edgell-Water Street intersection, has been vacant and run down for several years. Discussions begin with town officials and the Plaza’s owners to redevelop the parcel, which is zoned for commercial businesses.
2012 - Hundreds of community members meet at The Heritage community room to discuss renovations to Nobscot Plaza.
2015 - The Town of Framingham hires Cecil Group to prepare plans to guide redevelopment of both the Nobscot and Saxonville villages, creating “an urban design vision to guide public sector decisions including zoning revisions, public investment and engagement with private sector owners and developers.” The plan is supported by the community.
In a second community meeting, presenting to a packed house at The Heritage, the developer proposes a mixed use development at Nobscot Plaza. Community members are first disappointed in the lack of a supermarket, then warm to the idea.
Selectperson Laurie Lee begins developing “village zoning” to give the Town and residents more control over redevelopment. She assembles the Nobscot Village Team - a group of neighbors and town staff who begin to work together on design and zoning details.
2016 - The Nobscot Village Team meets with hundreds of neighbors to share their recommendations.
The Town Manager and Planning Board propose including about 30 acres of land that lies southwest of the Nobscot intersection in village zoning. The community adamantly opposes this change because the parcel abuts residential neighborhoods. The parcel is not included in the plan and remains in one-acre zoning along with the rest of the neighborhood.
2017 - Residents vote for Framingham to become a city.
2018 - The city adopts the zoning and design guidelines submitted by the Nobscot Village Team and approves the Plaza Project.
2020 - The historic Nobscot Chapel is moved to 881 Edgell Road, making way for the CVS at the corner of Edgell and Water Streets.
The City develops a master plan for development across the city.
2025 - The Fox Howe building with 158 apartments opens in the old Nobscot Plaza. The Brass Tap is the first ground-level retail establishment. A group of neighbors shows up to celebrate and welcome the new retailer. More small retailers are expected at street level.
The fate of about 30 acres of land southwest of the Nobscot intersection has followed a more contentious path:
2005 - The RCS School begins development on about seven acres of land southwest of the intersections of Edgell and Edmands Roads (at 82 Edmands and 874 Edgell Road). The school is permitted under the “Dover” amendment, which overrides local zoning of one residence per acre. The project is eventually abandoned.
Over time, the developer who controls those seven acres establishes agreements with most of the private homeowners along Edmands and Edgell Roads near the Nobscot intersection, as well as additional undeveloped, wooded parcels, bringing about 16 acres under their control. J&Co is brought in as a development partner.
2022 - In September 2022, a petition is filed with the City Council, on behalf of the developer, to rezone by extending the B-4 Nobscot village zoning to 30+ acres. Within a month, a counter petition is filed opposing the proposed rezoning, signed by close to 80 residents who own properties abutting the parcel. Shortly after, the developers withdraw their petition.
2023 - After purchasing 830 Edgell Road and 104 Edmands in 2022, about 14 acres of woodlands with one house along the road, J&Co presents development plans for a parcel that now includes approximately 30 acres, at a community meeting at Village Hall.
Community reaction is uniformly negative to the dense, mixed use project which would require extending the Nobscot B4 Village Zoning District to include the parcel.
2024 - Just three months before the deadline for submission to the state, Framingham Planning Board adds the Nobscot land as MOD4 in their proposal for MBTA Community Act zoning, which would allow 15 units per acre. Neighbors express their frustration in a petition with 2000 signatures opposing this measure. A Planning Board representative calls the neighbors NIMBYs in a public meeting.
The Mayor’s office develops a memorandum of understanding with J&Co for development of the parcel without resident or City Council involvement. When City Council debate appears headed to opposing this action, discussion is ended.
The Mayor submits the City’s final proposal to the state, limiting the rezoning to South Framingham near the train station.
2026 - In June, J&Co presents updated plans and a proposal for rezoning to the City Council’s Planning & Zoning subcommittee - now on 28 acres. The proposed rezoning would allow 15 units per acre, the same as MBTA zoning. The updated plan, now titled “Nobscot – Edgell Road Residential Development Concept,” shows 357 units - a mix of townhouses and multifamily buildings, all residential. Overall this translates into more than 12 units per acre on 28 acres.
In her role as chair of the Planning and Zoning Subcommittee, Councilor Long will be scheduling additional hearings to review the proposal.
Today Friends of Nobscot seeks greater community collaboration as City officials consider this proposal.
Our Mission
The mission of Friends of Nobscot is to bring people together to protect the historic and rural character of the Nobscot area of Framingham, while supporting thoughtful changes that make our neighborhood an even better place to live, work, and visit.
We believe that any development in Nobscot—or anywhere in the city—should reflect Framingham’s 2020 Master Plan and respect the voices of current residents, who care deeply about maintaining the character of their neighborhood and the value of their homes.
The Friends of Nobscot steering committee includes the following neighbors: John Mastrobattista, Carol McGarry, Marilyn Manzella, Anne Murphy, Matt Woolhouse, Duncan Fuller, Terri Banerjee and Steve Weisman.
Our Values
As residents of Framingham and as ultimate stakeholders in policies and behaviors that impact our quality of life and the value of our property:
We value transparency among government officials and the sharing of all relevant facts and information affecting their decision making with regard to our neighborhood in a timely manner. Potential conflict of interest or the appearance of conflicts must be openly discussed.
We value engagement with officials that allows for the opportunity to study evidence, voice concerns, and collaborate in order to achieve optimal outcomes for the benefit of the greater public interest.
We value civil discourse and are committed to open, evidence-based, good faith debate among civic leaders and residents. Disrespect for residents or officials, personal attacks, or deliberate obfuscation of relevant information is unacceptable.
We value equity, respect and fair resource allocation across every neighborhood throughout Framingham.
We value collaboration with other neighborhoods throughout Framingham as we realize that we are one of many vibrant communities throughout the city.
