Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Franklin Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
21 issues
Millstone Road vacant space as place of worship
A vacant former contractor's/storage building at 60 Millstone Road will become the Light of Christ church, ending a 15-year search for a Franklin Township home by a congregation of about 70. The main sticking point was parking — only 11 on-site spaces against 31 required — solved with an agreement to use 40 spaces at the neighboring HOPES CAP building on Sundays. The board added conditions on handicap parking, striping, and notice requirements for weddings and funerals.
Asphalt cost increases slowing paving projects
Asphalt is up 36% since January (from $530 to $723 per ton), so fewer designated streets will get paved this year while the township seeks funding for the rest.
Flock/ALPR license plate cameras
Roughly a dozen residents demanded the Flock camera system be suspended, canceled, or put to a referendum, citing a ~48% hotlist hit rate, privacy concerns, and national reports of Flock data disclosures. The public safety director and mayor countered that the hit rate reflects broad hotlist settings (mostly paperwork violations), drops below 1% when filtered for serious crimes, and that Franklin owns its data. The mayor said no final decision has been made and has asked the Attorney General to require shorter retention and more frequent audits.
Affordable housing PILOT rates and school impacts
Ordinance 4496-26 would rewrite the township's affordable housing development fee rules to comply with the state Fair Housing Act and UHAC standards. Development fees feed the affordable housing trust fund, which helps pay for affordable homes in Franklin.
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.
Recreation field fees for outside teams
The council is working on raising fees for sports organizations that use township fields with non-resident players, after finding some teams game the residency rules.
Traffic safety and left-turn lane on South Middlebush Road (CR 615)
A crossing guard flagged faded crosswalks and crumbling tactile pads on Franklin Boulevard; another resident asked for a traffic light at JFK and Winston Drive, rumble strips on Amwell Road, and limits on tow trucks on Arlington Avenue. A full traffic study at JFK/Winston is underway, with funding possible in 2027.
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.
Second freestanding sign variance in NB zone
The newly opened car wash at Route 27 and Sinclair Blvd wants a freestanding sign set about 9 feet from the frontage, well inside the required 20-foot setback. Reviewers flagged questions about the exact setback, landscaping, overhead wires, and unapproved signs already posted.
Cannabis Dispensary Near Residential Area
A resident pushed back on a new dispensary near homes, a school, and the library. Officials explained it's a legally protected pre-existing non-conforming use in an R40 zone, and the township collects 2% of gross receipts — projected at roughly $1.2 million a year.
Kyle Porter residential addition at 46 Vermont Avenue
A routine homeowner variance to line up a one-story addition with the existing house's nonconforming setback. Approved unanimously with no opposition.
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.
Easton Avenue traffic safety and Cedar Grove Lane signage
A board member noted three schools and three churches within half a mile make Cedar Grove Lane busy, and urged the county to consider school-zone signage and flashing lights as part of the church's site plan.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras controversy
Residents have demanded shutdown of the township's license-plate camera system for months, citing privacy, tracking, and transparency concerns. Councilman Singh publicly backed a full public review and a new vote; other members say they're taking all feedback under consideration without rushing.
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.
Missing person Belinda Prentice
Police are searching for Belinda Prentice, missing since October 5 from the New Brunswick Road/Willow Avenue area; residents are asked to check security cameras for any sighting from October 5 onward.
Franklin 250 Revolutionary War Commemoration
Mayor Kramer wants to add $25,000 to the fireworks budget for a bigger July 4th show — possibly a drone light show — for the nation's 250th birthday, hoping a sponsor will cover it so the township doesn't spend the money.
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.
Cluster subdivision ordinance overhaul
The township is streamlining its cluster subdivision rules — the tool that lets developers build on smaller lots while preserving roughly half the land. The natural resource preservation cluster option stays, the redundant agricultural cluster option and its density bonus go away, and lot size averaging would be extended to the A Zone.
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.