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Framingham Today
By the People, for the People
Developer Hides 80% of Lease for Proposed Waterfront Project
Partial lease disclosure raises concerns about compliance with Dover Amendment requirements
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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A developer proposing a residential project on a waterfront property in Framingham, Massachusetts has only disclosed a partial lease with the New England Center for Children (NECC), raising questions about whether the project meets the requirements of the Dover Amendment. The full lease, which is essential for determining the legitimacy of the Dover Amendment claim, has not been provided, with over 80% of the document redacted or missing.
Why it matters
The Dover Amendment allows certain educational and religious organizations to bypass local zoning restrictions, but the developer must demonstrate a valid lease or agreement with such an organization. The lack of transparency around the full lease terms raises concerns that the project may not actually qualify for the Dover Amendment exemption, which could impact the approval process and the neighborhood's ability to challenge the development.
The details
The developer has provided only 13 pages out of an estimated 39-page lease, with significant redactions that obscure key details such as the agreement clause, rent amount, and escape clauses. Without access to the full lease, it is impossible for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) or the public to verify that the project meets the Dover Amendment requirements. The neighborhood is concerned about the potential loss of open space and the financial burden of fighting the development in court if the ZBA approves the project based on the limited information provided.
- The developer submitted the partial lease to the Zoning Board of Appeals in March 2026.
The players
New England Center for Children (NECC)
A non-profit organization that provides educational services, which the developer claims has a lease agreement for the proposed waterfront project. NECC has substantial financial resources, with net assets of around $79 million.
Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
The local zoning authority responsible for reviewing and approving the proposed waterfront development project, including determining if it meets the requirements of the Dover Amendment.
What they’re saying
“The remarkable fact is that the developer and NECC have not provided a lease which could be used to determine the fate of the proposed project.”
— Geoff Epstein, Author (Patch.com)
“A simple approach would be for the ZBA to require disclosure of the entire lease in order to proceed in a proper manner.”
— Geoff Epstein, Author (Patch.com)
What’s next
The Zoning Board of Appeals will need to decide whether to approve the project based on the limited lease information provided or require the developer to disclose the full lease before proceeding.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of transparency and full disclosure when developers seek to bypass local zoning laws through the Dover Amendment. The lack of access to the complete lease terms raises concerns about the legitimacy of the project and the ability of the community to effectively challenge it.
