Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Franklin Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
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.
Stormwater compliance with 2023 DEP regulations
A weekend stream cleanup pulled 54 bags of trash from Seely's Run, including shopping carts from Stop & Shop and overflowing recycling from Franklin Greens. The chairman asked staff to look at a taller fence and a better trash enclosure.
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.
2027 JFK Boulevard grant and Van Cleef Bike Path extension
With a school bus driver shortage and a surge in teens riding e-bikes and e-scooters, board member Jennifer Rangnow proposed a completed sidewalk path to the high school and middle school. Staff agreed to sketch out a possible route, and the board may add it to the master plan — possibly funded by the township's sidewalk fund.
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.
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.
One-Lane Bridge (Griggstown) Traffic Plan
A resident asked for updates on the one-lane bridge bottleneck. County plan: traffic signals on both sides of the bridge and at the causeway, plus a three-way stop at Canal and Bunker Hill — no bridge replacement or widening.
Churchill Avenue flooding, parking and speeding
Neighbors testified that clearing wooded lots has caused multi-year flooding, that the food bank, two churches and a new mosque bring heavy parking demand, and that speeding makes the street dangerous. Board members said these are enforcement problems, not reasons to deny the variance, and urged residents to call code enforcement.
Proposed Place of Worship on Millstone Road
The Light of Christ International Fellowship Ministries was scheduled to seek D variances to convert a vacant former food-bank storage building at 60 Millstone Road into a place of worship, with Sunday parking at the adjacent HOPES CAP building. Neighbors may weigh traffic and parking impacts against the community benefit of a local congregation.
Casa Esencia Relief of Condition
64 Casa Esencia, LLC was scheduled for a discussion on clarifying its approved floor area ratio and whether the 64 Norma Avenue project is rental or owner-occupied housing.
Cannabis dispensary concentration in the Fourth Ward
A resident objected to the new Franklin Roots dispensary near homes, a school and the library. Officials explained it's a legal pre-existing non-conforming use in an R40 zone, that the township has capped dispensaries at 18 (currently 21 active), and that the 2% tax on gross income will bring in about $1.2 million a year.
Main Street Area 3 Water Main Replacement
The Council awarded an $885,962 contract to William J. Guarini, Inc. to replace aging water mains in the Main Street Area 3 neighborhood.
Noise ordinance enforcement and short-term pool rentals
Two residents said police aren't issuing summonses for noise violations after 10 p.m. The manager confirmed the standard — noise audible from 200 feet after 10 p.m. is a violation — and promised to reinforce enforcement with officers.
Catalpa Park Bid Delayed
The Ward 1 Catalpa Park construction bid was ready but pulled from tonight's agenda pending confirmation of a funding mechanism; award expected at the first September meeting. Bocce courts were cut to stay within budget.
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.
PSE&G substation improvements at 160 South Middlebush Road
PSE&G is seeking approval to upgrade its electrical substation with new switchgear, a transformer, and a stormwater basin. The work is meant to keep the local power grid reliable, though neighbors may notice construction near the site.
L'Oreal facility expansion extension at 100 Commerce Drive
L'Oreal USA asked for another year on its approved 149,171-square-foot manufacturing expansion at 100 Commerce Drive while it waits for Delaware Raritan Canal Commission permits. The board was scheduled to act on the request.
D&R Canal Master Plan update
Franklin has more linear mileage along the D&R Canal than any other town — 22 miles. The board is planning to coordinate with the Canal Commission on its new master plan so the township's own master plan reflects the canal's needs.
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.
Oversized signage at 45 Veronica Avenue
Dream on Me's sign contractor put up signs far bigger than the code allows, without permits, in 2023. The board effectively granted forgiveness, finding the huge signs are needed for wayfinding on a 48-acre flag lot whose building sits 700 feet from the road.
Police Department Fifth Reaccreditation
Franklin Township Police earned its fifth reaccreditation, putting it in the top 4% of agencies nationally — a trust and professionalism milestone for residents.
East Millstone Water Main Bid Rejection
Both bids for the East Millstone water main installation came in way over budget, so the Council rejected them and will rework the specs and rebid.
Cannabis Business Licensing Fees
Two cannabis business owners objected to the earlier proposed $20,000 annual license fee; the manager rewrote the ordinance with much lower fees ($500 for microbusinesses) and the Council cut cultivator and manufacturer fees further before first reading.
Pool party rental restrictions
A resident followed up on possible restrictions on pool rentals; the land use committee takes it up Thursday and the zoning inspector has already found numerous permit violations at the problem property.
Traffic calming: rumble strips and JFK/Winston signal study
Residents asked about rumble strips on Amwell Road (a county road) and a traffic signal study at JFK Boulevard and Winston Drive. The signal study is underway and should wrap in a couple of months.
Community public health priorities
The volunteer advisory board runs naloxone giveaways, vape take-backs, and senior health programs, and is pushing for free swim lessons and CPR training for residents. It also flagged that it isn't consulted when health-relevant developments like a cannabis business near a school come before the township.
Fire districts shared services agreement
The annual contract with three of four fire districts was renewed, keeping the hybrid arrangement that lets township fire prevention officers cover daytime fires when volunteers are scarce.
County health services and inspections in Franklin
Somerset County handles food inspections, disease tracking, lead investigations, and emergency preparedness for Franklin. Grant funding is down but no services have been cut, and the county expects accreditation this year.
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.
First update to planning and zoning fees in 15 years
Application, escrow, and review fees for developers are going up to cover the township's review costs. Homeowner zoning permits become a flat $50, with $100 fees for new houses and commercial buildings and higher review fees when big projects add stormwater review.
County of Somerset open-space subdivision on Canal Road
The county is under contract to buy about 24 acres of the Canal Road parcel for its open space inventory, contiguous with existing county open space in the Millstone Valley preservation area. The hearing was carried to May 6, 2026.
Collins Property open space acquisition
The Township moved to buy the Collins Property at 4301 Route 27 for open space, using $426,721.40 from the Open Space Trust Fund. Hearings are set for June 23.
Horses and Hay Farm farmland preservation
The Council approved cost-sharing with the State to preserve a development easement on the 18-acre Horses and Hay Farm on Coppermine Road.
Road resurfacing - Willow Avenue and Pierce Street
Two paving contracts totaling about $1.13 million were awarded, resurfacing Willow Avenue area and Pierce Street.
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.
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.
Data Centers Barred from B-I Zone
The new ordinance kicks data centers out of the B-I zone entirely, citing noise, air quality, and heavy strain on electric and water infrastructure. Chairman Orsini noted they could still seek a use variance from the zoning board, but likely without success.
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.
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.
Senior Snow Removal Program Proposal
After criticism following January's major snowstorm, the council plans to review and tweak the snow removal ordinance's language — through Public Works or Public Safety committees — in coming months.
Sewer Rate Fairness for Businesses Discharging Clean Water
Anbarasan found some businesses discharge millions of gallons of clean water into the sewer system without industrial metering, costing ratepayers; he's working with the sewerage authority to normalize their rates.
Road Repaving and Water Infrastructure
Council members reported finalizing this year's road repaving list and completing millions of dollars in water system upgrades in Wards 4 and 5, with paving coming to Coppermine, Stirling, and MacAfee Road areas.
New Brunswick Road parking and snow plowing complaints
Council members praised police and public works after the blizzard: zero storm-related injuries, two lives saved by police/EMS, a baby delivered on-site, and roads largely cleared. Some residents complained about unplowed streets and blocked driveways.
Road Resurfacing Program Awards
Three resurfacing contracts covering Coppermine Road, Cedar Brook Drive, and Sterling Road were up for award, totaling roughly $1.5 million. Drivers on those corridors can expect smoother pavement once work is done.
Vacation of Executive Drive
The council gave up the public's rights to part of Executive Drive so a planned warehouse can use it as a private driveway. A resident worried it favors the developer; the manager said keeping it public would cost taxpayers given expected truck traffic.
Utility tree trimming practices
Board members aired frustration that utility tree-trimming crews are 'butchering' mature street trees along Davidson Avenue, Route 287, Elizabeth Avenue and Cedar Grove Lane with no apparent accountability. The board wants to check whether the shade tree ordinance requires certified arborists and whether it's enforced.
Farming operations in R-40 residential zone
A board member flagged that farming is a permitted use in R-40 zones with no minimum lot size — raising the possibility of a small residential lot next door hosting livestock. Staff agreed to research right-to-farm limits and bring the question back, possibly as a future ordinance.
Municipal Alliance Substance Use Prevention Grant
The Council was scheduled to allocate $20,000 a year in opiate settlement funds to the Community Recovery Champion program, on the recommendation of the Municipal Alliance advisory subcommittee.
Municipal Fee Changes (Recycling, Dog Licenses, Weddings)
A resident objected to the new leaf disposal fee, citing poor notice, awkward payment, and limited hours. The manager said free brush drop-off ended due to storage and NJDEP issues, but fall street-side leaf pickup remains free, and online payments are coming.
2026 Fire District Tax Rates
The council set the 2026 tax rates for all four fire districts, from .049 to .071 per $100 of valuation, funding budgets that total roughly $10.3 million.