Franklin Township Board of Adjustment Meeting – February 5, 2026

The Franklin Township Board of Adjustment met on February 5, 2026, at 12:30 PM (ET) to consider several agenda items including minutes approval, resolutions, extensions of time, and four hearings. The board approved minutes from December 4, 2025, three resolutions, and three extensions of time by consent. Under hearings, one application was withdrawn, one was carried, one was approved for relief of conditions, one sign variance was carried to a future date, and one major site plan with use variance was approved with conditions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval – Regular minutes of December 4, 2025, were approved unanimously (8-0).
• Resolution – Hawthorne Management, LLC (ZBA-21-00011 ext of time) – Approved unanimously (6-0; two members recused).
• Resolution – Hound Town 543, Inc (ZBA-25-00015 – reconsideration) – Approved unanimously (6-0; two members recused).
• Resolution – 655Miz, LLC (ZBA-24-00020) – Approved unanimously (6-0; two members recused).
• Discussion – Sai Datta Mandir Inc (ZBA-19-00037 ext of time) – Approved unanimously (8-0) for extension through November 24, 2026. Applicant’s attorney John DeLuca stated a delay due to State Historic Commission approval for a right-turn lane.
• Discussion – 64 Casa Esencia, LLC (ZBA-21-00027 ext of time) – Approved unanimously (8-0) for extension through September 21, 2026. Attorney DeLuca noted ongoing engineering issues.
• Discussion – Lochiatto Hardscapes LLC (ZBA-22-00018 ext of time) – Approved unanimously (8-0) for extension through February 15, 2026. Attorney DeLuca cited NJDEP issues.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Wash King Somerset Opco, LLC (ZBA-25-00025) – A member of the public, Burard Patel of 55 Sinclair Boulevard, expressed concerns about the site triangle at the intersection and the impact of temporary signs on visibility. He also noted a solar panel with a camera on the opposite side and traffic issues from the car wash. The applicant’s attorney responded that the temporary signs had been removed and the proposed sign would be set back further, improving visibility.

Discussion Items

• Thirukumaran Velayudhan (ZBA-24-00002) – Relief of Condition – Applicant Lawrence Sachs presented architect Pietro Rosado who testified that the building height was incorrectly reported as 31.9 feet on approved plans; actual height is 33.3 feet. Other changes included a 49.55 sq ft increase in building footprint, impervious coverage increase from 30.74% to 34.96% (due to widened driveway), and a roof slope change. The board discussion focused on the discrepancy and the need to update the resolution. The applicant agreed to a deed restriction prohibiting use of basement and attic as living space. The board approved the relief with conditions.
• Wash King Somerset Opco, LLC (ZBA-25-00025) – Sign Variance – Applicant John DeLuca requested a variance to place a freestanding sign 8.75 feet from the property line (20 feet required). The sign had been fabricated but could not be placed in the original approved location due to a sewer easement. The applicant argued that any compliant location would lack visibility. Board members raised concerns about the sign overhanging the sewer easement, proximity to overhead utility lines, and the need for site triangle analysis. The applicant offered to obtain clearance from the sewer authority and PSE&G. The board voted to carry the application to April 2, 2026, for additional testimony and evidence.
• JC IOS Acquisitions, LLC (ZBA-25-00020) – Use Variance & Site Plan – Applicant Simone Cali presented revised plans reducing impervious coverage from 78.6% (existing) to 71.1% (proposed), eliminating tractor-trailer storage, and adding an 8-foot fence, fire lanes, and stormwater management. The engineer Jeff Grip showed exhibits of how multiple tenants (e.g., landscaping materials, construction equipment) would operate. The board discussed operational details, tenant rotation, security, lighting, and height limits. The board approved the application with conditions including eight-foot height limit for stored materials, no racking, no idling, fire lane striping, and tenant change review by the Technical Review Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Thirukumaran Velayudhan (ZBA-24-00002) – Approved unanimously (8-0) to relieve conditions regarding building height, update the resolution, and require a deed restriction prohibiting basement/attic as living space.
• Wash King Somerset Opco, LLC (ZBA-25-00025) – Carried to April 2, 2026, at 7:30 PM; no further notification needed. Applicant must address sewer easement overhang, utility line clearance, and site triangle analysis.
• JC IOS Acquisitions, LLC (ZBA-25-00020) – Approved unanimously (8-0) with conditions: eight-foot fence, fire lane striping, height limit of eight feet, containment of loose materials, no racking, no tractor-trailer storage, lighting compliance, and tenant change review by TRC.
• Manjit Singh & Ravinder Kaur (ZBA-24-00011) – Application withdrawn.
• Somerset Bible Baptist Church (ZBA-25-00004) – Carried to April 2, 2026; notification required.
• Thirukumaran Velayudhan (ZBA-24-00002) – Carried from January 8, 2026; no further notification needed (approved at this meeting).