Franklin Township Planning Board Meeting: June 4, 2025 – Redevelopment Study and Time Extension
Franklin Township Planning Board Meeting
On June 4, 2025, the Franklin Township Planning Board convened to consider a redevelopment study for five properties near Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard and an extension of time for a previously approved site plan. The meeting included no public comments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public were present or spoke.
Discussion Items
- Extension of Time for 789 Hamilton LLC (PLN-20-00008): The applicant requested a one-year extension for preliminary and final major site plan approval with variances, originally set to expire June 21, 2025. The board was informed that the applicant has been diligently pursuing approvals and is entitled to a first extension. The motion passed unanimously.
- Area in Need of Redevelopment Study – Blocks 233 & 234: Mika Apte of CME Associates presented the study, commissioned by the Township Committee via Resolution R24421 on December 10, 2024. The study area consists of five properties totaling approximately 3 acres, located north of Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard. The properties include:
- Block 233, Lot 1.01: Irregular 1.13-acre lot with a dilapidated boarded-up dwelling, prior demolition (2017), and a failed 2017 application for a four-story mixed-use building. Recommended under Criteria D (obsolete layout/dilapidation).
- Block 233, Lot 2.01: Former post office site, well-maintained but vacant office building. Recommended under Section 3 (necessary for cohesive redevelopment).
- Block 234, Lot 1: Two-story commercial building with red “X” marking structural unsafety; multiple code violations (2023-2025), prior site plan approval (2015) abandoned. Recommended under Criteria A, B, and D.
- Block 234, Lot 14.01: Paved parking lot, not a permitted use under current zoning, vacant and partially debris-covered. Recommended under Criteria D.
- Block 234, Lot 16: Single-family dwelling, well-maintained. Recommended under Section 3 as a necessary fill-in parcel.
Board members asked questions about methodology, community engagement, crime data, demographic history, and the impact on the owner of Lot 16. Charles Brown expressed concern about the lack of demographic analysis and potential disproportionate impact on communities of color. Others questioned relocation rights, eminent domain procedures, and whether Lot 16 could be excluded. Peter (board attorney) clarified that the statutory criteria do not change based on condemnation vs. non-condemnation designation and that tenants receive relocation assistance. Chairman Arsini noted that the redevelopment designation provides flexibility for affordable housing and that the board will have future input.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Extension for 789 Hamilton LLC: Motion passed unanimously (8-0). The approval is extended to June 21, 2026.
- Approval of Area in Need of Redevelopment Designation (Condemnation): Motion passed 7-0, with Charles Brown voting yes but expressing concern for the residential property on Lot 16. The board accepts the findings and recommends the designation under Criteria A, B, D, and Section 3, as outlined by the study.
- Other Matters Carried: The Dayal Enterprises hearing (PLN-24-00008) was carried to a date to be determined; 500 Atrium LLC (PLN-23-00005) was carried to July 16, 2025; the master plan public hearing on trails and pathways was carried to June 18, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act Pill 1975, Chapter 231, adequate notice of this regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Township of Franklin has been provided. If everyone can please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Under God, indivisible with Liberty and Justice Raw. Oops. Councilman Embarrison here. Theodore Chase. Here. Robert LeCourt. Here. Shaw Keller. Here. Jennifer Ragnow? Here. Charles Brown. Here. Robert Thomas. Here. Mark Dancy. And Chairman Arsini. Here. So we we don't have a lot tonight. So and I know there is no public here, but in case anybody watches on TV, if anybody does that, I don't know, or sees this in any other way. Dial Enterprises, that plan will not be heard tonight. It will carry be carried to a date to be determined and notification will be needed. So we I assume uh Christine, we don't have that date, and they will notice properly when they um want to. That is a correct assumption. Awesome. I always like that. Um L L C that is carried to July 16th, 2025, uh with no further notification needed. So if you were going to want to hear uh that application, HM LLC 500 HML L C then uh be here on uh July 16th. It's 730. How at 730. At 730. Perfect. Right here. Right? Right here. Um we will have well we will not have uh or we'll carry to June 18th, the master plan public hearing for trails and pathways. Um and so the only two things we have tonight is an extension of time, which uh Peter will cover because the applicant's not here, uh, and the uh public hearing for the redevelopment study associated with the affordable housing plan, um, which is really the the one major thing tonight. Um I'm sure you're all gonna love it. Um I know I did, um, so uh be eager for you all to hear it. So with that, um turn it over for the extension of time. Sure. So uh good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Uh we did receive a request for a one-year extension for an application uh which is PLN 20-00008, 789 Hamilton LLC. They received preliminary and final major site plan approval with variances in 2023. Uh the approval is due to expire on June 21st, 2025, and they're requesting a one-year extension. Uh they've been diligently pursuing their approvals and believe that they will uh have all those approvals issued within the coming months, and they are entitled to seek this approval under the municipal land use law.
openpublica.com