Franklin Township Planning Board Regular Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Franklin Township Planning Board convened on April 15, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC for a regular meeting. The board approved previous meeting minutes, a resolution for an extension of time, and heard one application for an electric vehicle charging station. The meeting concluded with board comments on local events and environmental concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting of March 4, 2026. (Vote: 9-0, with all members present except Sammy Shaban; Ted Chase participated in this vote.)
• Resolution – 789 Hamilton, LLC / PLN-20-00008 Extension of Time: The board unanimously approved the resolution granting an extension of time to the applicant. (Vote: 8-0; Ted Chase recused himself from this vote.)
• Carried Applications: Chairman noted that Concord Realty was carried to October 21, 2026 with notification required, and the County of Somerset application was carried to May 6, 2026 with no further notification needed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: No members of the public offered general planning comments.
• Public Comment on IONNA Application: One resident asked for clarification regarding ADA accessibility of the EV charging spaces and the signage indicating those spaces. The applicant's engineer responded that two ADA-accessible spaces with an access aisle would be provided and identified with appropriate signage.

Hearing: IONNA, LLC / PLN-26-00002 – Preliminary & Final Site Plan w/C Variances

• Application Summary: The applicant, represented by attorney Joe Papero, civil engineer Joe Ventura (Kimley-Horn), and site development manager David Lane (IONNA), sought approval to convert 13 existing parking stalls into 6 dual-head EV chargers serving 12 parking spaces (two ADA-compliant) at the existing Wawa fueling station at 607 Somerset Street. Included were a canopy, switch gear, and signage.
• Variances Requested: Front yard setback variance (equipment located within required 40-foot front yard along Myrtle Street), side yard setback variance (canopy encroaching 24.4 feet into a 40-foot side yard), and signage variances. Design waivers from the Township EV ordinance were requested to use white striping instead of green and to allow non-exclusive EV parking signage (Wawa’s all‑welcome parking).
• Board Discussion: Chairman Orsini guided the discussion to focus on visual impacts on the adjacent residential neighborhood. The engineer testified that existing six‑foot vinyl fencing and dense landscaping (some trees exceeding 12 feet) would largely screen the canopy and equipment. The canopy height is 15 feet, but the visible portion above the fence is only about two feet thick. The board questioned the necessity of three canopy signs (one IONNA, two Wawa). Chairman suggested removing one side‑facing sign; applicant agreed. Lighting will be downward‑directed and a revised illumination plan will comply with TRC recommendations. Snow load and removal were discussed; the applicant stated maintenance is covered under their license agreement with Wawa.
• Outcome: The board unanimously approved the application with the following conditions: (1) grant front yard, side yard, and signage variances; (2) grant design waivers for white striping and non‑exclusive EV parking signage; (3) compliance with TRC report including submission of a revised lighting plan; (4) reduction of canopy signage to two signs (one IONNA, one Wawa – no side‑facing sign); (5) no disturbance of existing landscaping, which shall be maintained as per the approved Wawa site plan. (Vote: 9-0; Ted Chase eligible to vote.)

Key Outcomes

• All consent items and the resolution were approved as noted.
• The IONNA application was approved subject to the above conditions, including variances and design waivers.
• The board took no action on the two carried applications (Concord Realty and County of Somerset).

Board Comments

• Robert LeCourt (Board Member): Announced upcoming Franklin 250 events: a cocktail affair with George and Martha Washington on Saturday (April 18) at Hageman Barn ($50, limited tickets); Patriots Day on Sunday (April 19) – a free family event with colonial games, militia training, spy messages, and a community quilt project. Also noted that a second batch of commemorative coins will arrive in two weeks, and a signing ceremony for a flag to be placed in a 50‑year time capsule will occur on July 2.
• Chairman Orsini: Reported on the Seely’s Run stream cleanup on April 12, where 54 bags of trash were collected. He raised two issues for board follow‑up: (1) Request that Stop & Shop install a higher fence (similar to that at Inman Park) to prevent shopping carts and trash from entering the stream; (2) Request that Franklin Greens improve its trash/recycling enclosure (increase dumpster count or better containment) as debris was escaping into the stream. He asked the board staff to check the relevant site plans and contact the property owners.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:30 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for May 6, 2026.