Franklin Realty Proposal for Reeds Restaurant & Nightclub

In 2007, Franklin Realty entered into a conditional agreement of purchase for the Reeds Property. Franklin presented a preliminary review of their initial plans at the February 13th, 2007 meeting of the Planning Commission. They showed six buildings of 30 units, each with underground parking. Each building was to be 3½ stories tall reaching approximately 53 feet to the roof peak.

Approximately 35 residents attended the meeting and raised several concerns including the impact on traffic, the height of the structures and the impact that a high density development would have on the neighborhood.

The Planning Commission had concerns similar to that of the neighbors. Members of the Commission specifically mentioned as concerns building height, total number of units, setbacks, traffic impact and access.

On June 5, 2007, Franklin held a meeting with the immediate neighbors of the parcel. At that meeting, they reviewed a revised concept for the site.

The revised plan showed 120 units in 6 buildings of 20 units each with building height reduced from 3½ to 2½ stories. The revised plans can be seen as a pdf file, here. (Please be patient, the file is large and will take time to download.)

On Monday, July 9, 2007, the Board of Supervisors held a special meeting so that Franklin could informally present their plans.

A group of immediate neighbors formed in opposition to the proposal under the name Residents for the Appropriate Development at Reeds (RADAR). Their letter to the BOS is available in pdf format here.

WRO reviewed the plans and completed several meetings with residents and neighbors. WRO presented a position statement on Franklin's 2007 version of the plan (available here) for 120 units.  At the time it was still framed as an "Age Restricted" property, and with the recent problems of other Age restricted developments, this was considered a significant issue.  A list of "pros and cons" was created (click here) and information on the storm water management impact was generated (here).

After a delay, in 2009, Franklin presented another version of the plan that reduced the density to 90 units. WRO generated an updated position statement (here) on the development plans prior to the review by the Planning Commission.  During this review, the Planning Commission raised many of the same concerns and voted to not recommend the plan as it stood.

In 2010, just as the Board of Supervisors had voted to advertised the consideration of the zoning change/development plan, the plan was withdrawn by Franklin Reality as their conditional agreement of sale was terminated.

To receive updates on any redevelopment of Reeds, please join WhitpainResidents.org.

If you'd like to share your views on development at this or other properties, please contact us at intersection@WhitpainResidents.org.