OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Meeting - June 9, 2026: Warehouse Ordinance Adopted After Heated Debate

Township Council — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyFranklin Township, New Jersey
SessionTownship Council
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:25:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

United States of America Republic for which it stands.

0:04

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

0:15

Let us take the next few moments of silence to seek each other to each seek in our town way, in our own way.

0:24

Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all the people at all times.

0:35

Amen.

0:40

Ms.

0:40

McCarthy, please call the role.

0:44

Councilman Embarrison.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Councilwoman Francois.

0:48

Here.

0:48

Deputy Mayor Carrazi.

0:50

Mayor Kramer.

0:51

Here.

0:52

Councilman Nonijaka.

0:53

Here.

0:54

Councilman Singh.

0:55

Yes.

0:55

Councilwoman Edine?

0:57

Yes.

0:57

Councilman Vasanella?

0:58

Here.

0:59

Councilman Wright.

1:01

We are now to item number five on the agenda.

1:03

Copies of the agenda are up near the clerk.

1:07

We are accommodations and proclamations.

1:10

The first will be by Dr.

1:11

Carazi, Men's Health Month Proclamation.

1:34

Okay, thank you.

1:39

Thank you.

1:48

Good evening, everyone.

1:50

Actually, I have two proclamations, and both are about men.

1:54

So the first one is the uh the men's the health one, and the second one is going to be men's mental health.

2:02

Thank you.

2:03

All right, soas June is the nationally recognized as men's health month, dedicated to highlighting the awareness of preventable health problems, and encouraging men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

2:27

Whereas men in the United States, on average, die nearly five years earlier than women, largely due to preventable conditions and are less likely to visit a doctor, obtain health screening, or engage in preventive care.

2:48

Whereas leading causes of death among men, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, are significantly more manageable when detected early through regular health screening and lifestyle choices.

3:06

Whereas Franklin Township is home to a vibrant and diverse population of men and boys whose health and virtual and vitality are essential to the strength of our families, neighborhoods, and township.

3:21

Whereas we recognize and appreciate the health care providers, community organizations, employers, and advocates who work tirelessly to improve men's health outcomes through education, access and care, and whereas promoting healthy lifestyle and encouraging men to take an active role in their own health contributes directly to stronger families and a more resilient community.

3:52

Now therefore, be it proclaimed that Mary and Township Council of Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as men's health month at in Franklin Township and call upon all residents, health care professionals, employers, and community organization to promote awareness of men's health issues, encourage preventable care, and support the overall will-being of men and boys who call Franklin Township home.

4:26

In witness there whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the township of Franklin to be fixed this ninth day of June in the year of our Lord 200 2026.

4:45

So men, please have a regular check-up.

4:49

And the good news is that we have a health center, Zoo Fall.

4:55

They just opened their doors about a couple of weeks ago.

5:00

So please visit them if you don't have insurance or you have a you know lower income, they accommodate.

5:08

So you can go there and get the checkup and any treatments that they offer.

5:14

So please take care of yourself, ourselves, and also engage in regular exercises if you can.

5:23

There are places you can go, like YMCA.

5:26

I am member of YMCF Scatterway.

5:29

It's only $50 a month for me and my wife.

5:33

So please join them.

5:34

They have swimming pools, they have gym, they have all kinds of stuff.

5:37

And they also have a lot of people they come, they just come and sit down and enjoy some nice conversation.

5:44

So please enjoy and hopefully one day we're gonna have buy in our township soon.

5:49

That's the goal.

5:50

All right, now coming back to the next proclamation.

5:53

May I mayor go ahead?

5:54

Yes, yes, please go ahead.

5:56

Okay.

5:57

So this one is about the mental health.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Development███████████████████████23%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Public Health██████████10%
Public Engagement███████7%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Racial Equity███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Franklin Township Council Regular Meeting – June 9, 2026

The Franklin Township Council held its regular meeting on June 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, adoption of several ordinances, and a highly contested public hearing on Ordinance 4507-26, which amends zoning for warehouses in the Business & Industry (B-I) zone. After extensive discussion, the council voted 6-3 to adopt the ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved minutes from May 12 and May 26, 2026 work sessions/regular meetings.
  • Approved warrants totaling $10,899,905.37.
  • Approved a consent agenda of 26 resolutions (items A-AA), including releases of escrow, performance bonds, training authorizations, and contract awards for equipment (dump bodies, mowers, asphalt paver, brine tank) and road resurfacing projects (Willow Ave Area and Pierce Street).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Stephen Savard (Society Hill 3 HOA) requested installation of speed bumps (not speed bumps, but speed humps per NJ law), crosswalks, and pedestrian signals on Beakman Road at Chelsea Court, Lindsay Court, Stewart Avenue, and Delar Park. He cited recent accidents including an overturned vehicle, a vehicle striking two trees, and a T-bone collision, and presented a petition with over 300 signatures.
  • Debbie Stewart (Farrington Plaza) raised concerns about trash on roads from garbage trucks and requested a roadside collection program. She also noted the absence of school zone signs on Mettler's Road near the charter school.
  • Deborah Inman (67 Robert Road) asked for stricter noise ordinance enforcement against a residence that rents out its pool, requesting that officers issue summonses to the homeowner.
  • Alex Clark (396 Hamilton Street) advocated for ranked-choice voting (RCV), citing primary election results in 2026 where winners received as little as 19–28% of the vote. He urged the council to pass a resolution supporting S1643/A1745 (Municipal and School Board Voting Options Act), enabling local RCV by ballot referendum.
  • Lorinda Harper (164 Churchill Avenue) questioned the number of CBD (not cannabis) businesses in the 4th ward (believed 17 or more) and opposed additional ones. She asked about a new grocery store at the closed Stop & Shop on Veronica Ave/Route 27. She also queried why the Juneteenth celebration was scheduled for June 13 rather than June 19.
  • Skip Richards (14 Bryant Court) thanked the council for a changed sign on Western Canal Road regarding Randolph Road and requested a “no trucks” sign at Schoolhouse Road and Western Canal Road.
  • Jan Brandt (22 Bryant Court) commended public works employee Jared for promptly fixing a street light at her HOA.

Discussion Items

  • Warehouse Ordinance (Ordinance 4507-26): The council heard extensive testimony on this ordinance which restricts warehouses in the B-I zone to low-intensity uses, limits buildings to 150,000 sq ft, requires location within one road mile of an I-287 interchange and at least 500 feet from residential zones, and bans data centers. The planning board’s consultant (via video) affirmed the ordinance is consistent with the master plan and actually more restrictive.
    • Supporters: Dave Robinson (349 Biltmore Lane) noted that between 2018-2023 Franklin Township saw 37 applications for 7.8 million sq ft of warehouse space; the new criteria would have blocked warehouses like 437,000 sq ft on Elizabeth Ave next to a school. Marlon Kwan (Canal Walk) supported but urged adding an amendment to reduce loading dock metrics (currently 1 dock per 5,000 sq ft) and close a loophole allowing 18-wheelers to use local streets if delivering to the same owner. Ken Berkowitz (Seven Mayflower Ct) asked the summary to acknowledge past impacts. Dr. David Hollander (Canal Walk board) stated a vast majority of Canal Walk voters support the ordinance.
    • Opponents: Attorney John Kaplan (representing multiple property owners) argued the one-mile/500-foot rules are arbitrary and effectively create a ban, making many properties nonconforming. Planner Matt Flynn said the distance requirement is unique and not tied to planning goals; he suggested alternatives like truck route classifications. Attorney William Ling (representing 400 Atrium Dr and 650 Randolph Rd) accused the council of abandoning the tiered low/medium intensity system from the master plan, effectively eliminating medium-sized warehouses entirely.
    • Other speakers: Dr. David Hollander (Ninehill Place) supported the canal walk residents. Sudisha (74 Brian Court) asked for a build-out analysis of total square footage before adoption.
  • Council Discussion: Council members acknowledged the balance between development controls and legal realities. Councilwoman Udin expressed concerns about traffic impacts, especially for seniors on Schoolhouse Road. Councilman Singh thanked the study committee. The ordinance passed 6-3, with Councilmembers Udin, Vasanella, and Wright voting no.
  • Other ordinances:
    • Ordinance 4508-26 (parking prohibition on Pine Grove Avenue) passed unanimously.
    • Ordinances 4509-26 (master plan recommendations) and 4510-26 (update planning/zoning fees and escrow deposits) were introduced on first reading with unanimous votes.
    • Ordinances 4511-26 and 4512-26 (acquisition of Collins Property at 4301 State Route 27, Princeton for open space, appropriating $426,721.40 from the Open Space Trust Fund) were introduced on first reading with unanimous votes.
  • Resolutions voted separately: All five resolutions (Ekkam LLC liquor license renewals for 2023-2026, farmland preservation cost-share for Horses and Hay Farm at 98 Coppermine Road, and NJDEP Leaf Composting Grant of $35,526) were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 4507-26 adopted (6-3): New warehouse regulations including 150,000 sq ft cap, 1-mile proximity to I-287, 500-ft residential buffer, and data center ban.
  • Ordinance 4508-26 adopted unanimously: Parking prohibited at all times on Pine Grove Avenue.
  • Introduced on first reading (unanimous):
    • 4509-26 (implement master plan recommendations)
    • 4510-26 (update planning/zoning fees)
    • 4511-26 & 4512-26 (Collins property open space purchase) These will have public hearings on July 14, 2026 (for 4509-26 and 4510-26) and June 23, 2026 (for 4511-26 and 4512-26).
  • Appointment: Philip Seggio was appointed to the Historic Preservation Committee as a regular member.
  • Next steps: Manager will follow up on traffic safety requests, noise ordinance enforcement, and potential pool rental ordinance. The council will revisit the warehouse ordinance’s truck dock metrics and a possible build-out analysis in future amendments.

Meeting Transcript

United States of America Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Let us take the next few moments of silence to seek each other to each seek in our town way, in our own way. Whatever sources of inspiration will grant us the strength and power in our thoughts and decisions to be for the benefit of all the people at all times. Amen. Ms. McCarthy, please call the role. Councilman Embarrison. Here. Councilwoman Francois. Here. Deputy Mayor Carrazi. Mayor Kramer. Here. Councilman Nonijaka. Here. Councilman Singh. Yes. Councilwoman Edine? Yes. Councilman Vasanella? Here. Councilman Wright. We are now to item number five on the agenda. Copies of the agenda are up near the clerk. We are accommodations and proclamations. The first will be by Dr. Carazi, Men's Health Month Proclamation. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Actually, I have two proclamations, and both are about men. So the first one is the uh the men's the health one, and the second one is going to be men's mental health. Thank you. All right, soas June is the nationally recognized as men's health month, dedicated to highlighting the awareness of preventable health problems, and encouraging men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Whereas men in the United States, on average, die nearly five years earlier than women, largely due to preventable conditions and are less likely to visit a doctor, obtain health screening, or engage in preventive care. Whereas leading causes of death among men, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, are significantly more manageable when detected early through regular health screening and lifestyle choices. Whereas Franklin Township is home to a vibrant and diverse population of men and boys whose health and virtual and vitality are essential to the strength of our families, neighborhoods, and township. Whereas we recognize and appreciate the health care providers, community organizations, employers, and advocates who work tirelessly to improve men's health outcomes through education, access and care, and whereas promoting healthy lifestyle and encouraging men to take an active role in their own health contributes directly to stronger families and a more resilient community. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that Mary and Township Council of Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as men's health month at in Franklin Township and call upon all residents, health care professionals, employers, and community organization to promote awareness of men's health issues, encourage preventable care, and support the overall will-being of men and boys who call Franklin Township home. In witness there whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the township of Franklin to be fixed this ninth day of June in the year of our Lord 200 2026. So men, please have a regular check-up. And the good news is that we have a health center, Zoo Fall. They just opened their doors about a couple of weeks ago. So please visit them if you don't have insurance or you have a you know lower income, they accommodate. So you can go there and get the checkup and any treatments that they offer. So please take care of yourself, ourselves, and also engage in regular exercises if you can. There are places you can go, like YMCA. I am member of YMCF Scatterway. It's only $50 a month for me and my wife.

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