Franklin Township Planning Board Meeting - June 18, 2025

The Franklin Township Planning Board met on June 18, 2025, at 12:45 PM to consider minutes, resolutions, and public hearings. Key actions included adopting an updated Trails and Pathways Plan and the Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, both as amendments to the Master Plan. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes – Approved the regular meeting minutes of May 7, 2025. (Charles Brown abstained due to absence.)
• IDIL Davidson LLC Extension of Time (PLN-23-00004) – Approved unanimously.
• 789 Hamilton, LLC Extension of Time (PLN-20-00008) – Approved unanimously, based on counsel’s attestation.
• Condemnation Redevelopment Area Resolution – Approved unanimously, based on prior discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were offered. The chair opened and closed the public comment period without speakers.

Discussion Items

• Trails and Pathways Master Plan Update (2025) – Tara Kenyon, Open Space and Sustainability Consultant, presented a comprehensive update to the 2008 plan. The plan inventories 68.91 miles of town trails (27.77 municipal) and makes 17 strategic recommendations. Highlights include new accessible surfaces, equitable development across wards, paint-blazing for wayfinding, and a focus on underserved areas. Board member Theodore Chase noted map-text discrepancies (e.g., Dun Gunther Trail connection to Van Cleef Road, Treptow/Martino bike lane ambiguity) and suggested clarifying notes. Charles Brown advocated for adding a study of the abandoned railway line (rails-to-trails), referencing successful projects like the Atlanta BeltLine. The chair and members emphasized incremental progress and cross-promotion of regional trails (e.g., Kingston Loop in South Brunswick). The plan was adopted with the understanding that Chase’s and Brown’s suggestions would be incorporated.
• Housing Element and Fair Share Plan – Fourth Round (2025–2035) – Mika Apte (also known as Malta Kaapte) presented the plan. Franklin’s prospective obligation is 659 units, plus a rehabilitation obligation of 268 units. The plan meets the obligation through:
  • 260 Davidson Avenue – Rehab of an extended-stay hotel into 142 100% affordable units (1–3 bedrooms), plus 70 bonus credits (100% affordable, redevelopment bonus).
  • 347 Elizabeth Avenue – Conversion of a vacant office building into 200 inclusionary units (50% set-aside), yielding 100 affordable units plus 50 bonus credits.
  • 315 Davidson Avenue (Somerset Royal) – Inclusionary development of 260 units (50% set-aside), providing 130 affordable units plus 65 bonus credits. The site has wetland constraints but an LOI is in place.
  • Franklin Boulevard Senior Site – 120-unit age-restricted 100% affordable development (area in need of redevelopment designated earlier). Yields 12 credits (capped at 10% of obligation).
  • Third Round Surplus – 19 credits carried forward.
  • Rehabilitation – $15 million in the trust fund will support the county rehab program and affordability assistance (30% of fund). Board discussion: Charles Brown questioned vacancy at 260 Davidson (noted as “vacant” in materials, but he observed people there; Apte clarified it is for sale). Bob LeCourt raised concerns about site plan feasibility for Elizabeth Avenue (proximity to I-287) and Somerset Royal (flag lot, narrow bridge). The chair noted the plan was developed with input from the affordable housing subcommittee and minimizes total new units (~850 vs. 2,500 under typical 20% set-aside). Peter Vignolo (counsel) explained that the obligation is to zone, not guarantee construction; if a site fails, it may be revisited in the next round. The plan was adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Trails and Pathways Plan – Adopted as part of the Master Plan with amendments to incorporate Chase’s and Brown’s suggestions. Unanimous vote.
• Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (Fourth Round) – Adopted as part of the Master Plan. Unanimous vote.
• Resolution Memorializing Housing Plan – Also adopted unanimously, to comply with the June 30, 2025 filing deadline.

Next Steps

• The Planning Board will next meet on July 9, 2025 (rescheduled from July 2 due to the holiday) and July 16, 2025. One meeting in August will precede the summer break.