Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Franklin Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
27 issues in development
Sentinel Data Center air permit (NJDEP)
Sierra Club members and others urged the Council to object to NJDEP's 'minor source' classification of the data center's diesel backup generators. The public comment period runs through November 9, thanks partly to Mayor Kramer and state senators.
Dispensary drive-through reactivation on Route 27
A cannabis dispensary in the Princeton Marketplace plaza wants to reuse the old bank drive-through as a pickup-only window. Neighbors' main concerns are traffic queuing on Route 27 and whether the operation stays tightly controlled — the board pressed for conditions before approving.
Affordable housing at 260 Davidson Avenue and 40-year PILOT
The Council adopted the PILOT ordinance converting hotel buildings into 142 affordable units with a $3.5 million trust-fund contribution. Residents raised diesel truck traffic, health, and transit concerns; officials defended the site's proximity to ShopRite, CVS, and shuttle service.
Sterling Pointe second apartment building
The long-delayed second 30-unit senior housing building at Spangenberg Lane is finally moving forward. Years of water supply disputes between Franklin, New Brunswick and NJDEP held it up; the township says water is now ready and Building One opens around February 2027.
L'Oreal plant expansion extension
L'Oreal USA sought more time on its approved 156,000-square-foot expansion of its Commerce Drive manufacturing plant while it works through Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission requirements. The extension would keep the approved project alive for another year.
Proposed 258,150 sq. ft. warehouse at 1950 Easton Avenue
Concore Realty seeks approval for a 15,425-square-foot warehouse in the B-I zone. The hearing was carried to October 21, 2026, delaying any decision and requiring new notices to property owners.
Habitat for Humanity Land Conveyance
Two township-owned lots were slated for transfer to Habitat for Humanity under developer's agreements to build 100% affordable single-family homes — one at 56-58 Main Street and one at 29 Kossuth Street. Both projects are part of the township's fourth-round fair share housing plan.
Affordable housing on Main Street and Kossuth Street
Habitat for Humanity is building township-donated lots as 100% affordable homes to help Franklin meet its state-mandated obligation of 659 affordable units. Residents asked why these homes land mostly in Wards 2, 4 and 5; the township explained those wards hold most of the buildable lots with public water and sewer.
Habitat for Humanity Land Sale at 168 Churchill Avenue
The council sold the tiny 50-by-195-foot township lot at 168 Churchill Avenue to Habitat for Humanity despite a neighbor's objections about lot size, flooding, parking and traffic safety. The zoning board will decide the variance in two weeks; if denied, the land reverts to the township.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
A new short-term rental ordinance was adopted despite a last-minute Airbnb letter and a speaker asking that second homes be allowed. Officials said tweaks are still possible before it takes effect in 20 days.
Extension of development approvals at 195-215 Davidson Avenue
IDIL Davidson LLC asked for one more year on its 2023 approvals for 195-215 Davidson Avenue so it can finish conditions and a consolidation deed. The board was scheduled to extend the approvals to May 7, 2027.
Three-lot subdivision at 426 Ralph Street
AP Realty Group seeks minor subdivision approval with variances to create three lots from four tax lots at 426 Ralph Street in the R-7 zone, with two new single-family homes planned. A resolution of approval was scheduled.
Second 30-unit apartment building at Spangenberg Lane
Cal-Sterling Franklin wants to build a second 30-unit apartment building at Spangenberg Lane in Somerset, needing a conditional-use variance in the SCV zone. The board was scheduled to decide whether the project moves forward.
Gravel vs. paved driveways on Habitat homes
Board members pushed Habitat to pave (macadam) rather than gravel the driveways, arguing gravel washes out after one snowfall. The Kossuth Street approval requires macadam, and Habitat voluntarily agreed to the same for the Main Street house.
Inter-Municipal Development Coordination
A resident asked how Franklin coordinates with New Brunswick on big bordering projects like Parker Senior Living; officials explained New Jersey's home-rule system but Councilman Onyejiaka wants to explore a communication process.
Extension of previously approved developments
Three older approvals — a temple, a 12-unit townhouse project, and a landscaping business — were up for one-year extensions. Extensions keep projects alive but also let them wait out engineering, NJDEP, or state historic reviews before building.
Future of 135 Davidson Avenue: church/school retention vs. large warehouse
A warehouse is proposed on the church/cultural center site in the B-I zone, where warehouses were removed as a permitted use in 2023 — hence the D(1) use variance. Residents raised truck traffic on Davidson Avenue and Easton Avenue during peak hours, and the objectors' counsel challenged whether the site can support a use variance given the zoning history.
Skillmans Lane farm subdivision
A one-acre home site is being split off a 103-acre preserved farm — exactly what was contemplated when the township bought the development easement in 2008. The rest of the farm stays preserved in perpetuity, but board members debated whether a future fence could change how the property looks from the road.
PSE&G Bennetts Lane substation improvements
PSE&G is replacing 60-year-old equipment and adding a second transformer and feeder at the Bennetts Lane substation, which serves about 17,500 customers and was nearing 100% capacity on hot summer days. The upgrade should keep air conditioning and power reliable through peak demand, with construction from 2027 to 2030 and no planned outages.
426 Ralph Street three-lot subdivision
AP Realty Group wants to turn one large residential lot with an existing house into three lots with two new homes, needing a frontage variance for one lot. Neighbors would see new construction and more homes on a residential street.
426 Ralph Street Redevelopment
A property with a history of dumping and illegal storage violations is being cleaned up and subdivided for three single-family homes. The neighbor next door raised questions about a storm drainage easement running through the lot.
EV charging stations at Somerset Street Wawa
IONNA is adding six fast EV chargers serving 12 spaces (2 ADA) at the existing Wawa at 607 Somerset Street. The board hashed out how much of the canopy neighbors on Myrtle Street will see and kept the existing buffer intact.
295 Cedar Grove Lane 16-lot subdivision
ODIN DHUN, LLC is seeking approval for a 16-lot subdivision with 14 buildable single-family homes on Cedar Grove Lane, including conditional variances. The hearing was noted as carried to March 4, 2026.
Intensity of use at proposed mosque
The applicant promises 50-60 worshippers per daily prayer service, up to 70-80 during Ramadan evenings and 150 max at special events. Board members worry nothing stops those numbers from growing once the building is up, and that the worship area grew more than 20% over the prior approval even as attendance stays small.
789 Hamilton mixed-use project timeline
The already-approved 230-unit-plus-retail Route 27 project got two more years to break ground, delayed by Somerset County review back-and-forth.
Downtown Park and Cedar Grove Development
The downtown park will be re-bid with construction hoped to start quickly after acceptable bids come in; the Planning Board also approved a 14-home development off Cedar Grove Lane without gates.
Wilf Campus Developer's Agreement
A developer's agreement with the Foundation of the Wilf Campus for property at 350 DeMott Lane was on the consent agenda, tying the foundation to obligations tied to its development approvals.