Franklin Township Zoning Board Meeting – October 1, 2026

The Franklin Township Zoning Board of Adjustment met on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with notice provided under the Open Public Meetings Act. The board approved minutes, postponed two prior applications, and conducted a full hearing on a proposed church. Board members participating included Chairman Thomas, Cheryl Bathia, Richard Prokanek, Vasim Verdas, and Gary Rosenthal; Alan Rich, Robert Shepard, Kunalakia, and Peter March were excused.

Consent Calendar

• The regular meeting minutes of August 6, 2026 were moved, seconded, and approved.
• No resolutions were on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments or questions during the public portions of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• The board had no formal discussion items. A planned future discussion on amending the bylaws to require professional reports at least one week before meetings was postponed.

Hearings

• Islamic Circle of North America / ZBA-25-00024 – Application for a D(1) variance/site plan to renovate an existing commercial space into a prayer room/house of worship at 1320 Hamilton Street, Block 90 Lot 3, B-I zone. This matter was carried to November 5, 2026, with no further notification required.
• Tawheed Dahwah Center / ZBA-24-00017 – Amended preliminary and final site plan plus relief of condition for construction of a 19,350-square-foot place of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road, Block 37.02 Lot 46.03, A zone. This matter was carried to October 15, 2026, to be heard at 6:30 p.m. at 475 DeMott Lane in the Council Chambers, with no further notification required.
• Light of Christ International Fellowship Ministries, Inc. / ZBA-26-00018 – The board heard a request for a D variance to use a vacant building at 60 Millstone Road, Block 135.01 Lots 21-22 and 26-28, HBD zone, as a place of worship.

Light of Christ Application Testimony

• Minister Alemami Touré, Secretary General, testified that the church has served New Jersey for 17 years, was established April 5, 2009, has looked for a Franklin Township location for 15 years, has about 70 congregation members, expects Sunday attendance of 30 to 60 people, and plans primary services Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He expressed strong support for the application and committed to being a good neighbor, including using the church’s 15-passenger van and cooperating on traffic and parking for weddings and funerals.
• Engineer Jeff Cartoff presented a revised site plan dated September 21, 2026. The plan keeps the existing building footprint and adds no exterior changes except replacing a roll-up door with a storefront/windows, re-establishing one ADA parking space, and providing 11 on-site spaces. He noted existing nonconformities for lot width, side yard, front yard, property line setback, and residential buffer.
• Architect Richard Pierce testified that interior work would include adding a second accessible bathroom, removing a shower, and using movable seating for about 62 people in the sanctuary. No food preparation or exterior gathering is proposed.
• Traffic engineer Douglas Poliniak projected about 20 to 25 entering and 20 to 25 exiting vehicle trips for Sunday services under conservative assumptions, and cited an ITE estimate of 44 peak-hour trips (22 in, 22 out). He stated this is below the 100-trip threshold that would require further off-site analysis. He also noted the ordinance requires 31 parking spaces, the site provides 11, and the adjacent Hopes Cap facility provides 40 under a parking agreement, for a total of 51 spaces.
• Planner Matthew Wellinger testified that the application requires a D3 conditional use variance because the existing building cannot meet all standards for a house of worship. He listed required versus existing conditions including lot width 100 ft vs 53.26 ft, side yard 20 ft vs 10 ft, front yard 50 ft vs 20 ft, property line setback 25 ft vs 10 ft, residential buffer 15 ft vs 0 ft, and parking 31 required vs 11 on-site. He argued that the church is an inherently beneficial use and that the proposal meets both positive and negative criteria, with no substantial detriment to the public good or the surrounding properties.
• Applicant’s attorney, Greg Pasquale, asked the board to grant the variances, noting the building is vacant and the church would benefit the community.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the Light of Christ International Fellowship Ministries application was made, seconded, and passed unanimously: Cheryl Bathia, Richard Prokanek, Vasim Verdas, Gary Rosenthal, and Chairman Thomas all voted yes.
• The approval was subject to conditions including: the applicant’s engineer meeting with township staff on parking striping, signage, and pavement markings; a board engineer review of ADA accessibility for the total number of spaces; maintaining a clear, safe pedestrian path from the off-site parking lot; submitting the renewed parking agreement to the township as it expires; notifying the board if the parking agreement is terminated and providing proof of a replacement agreement; no food preparation on site; and notifying the township for weddings/funerals to determine whether police traffic control is needed.
• Islamic Circle of North America was carried to November 5, 2026, with no further notification.
• Tawheed Dahwah Center was carried to October 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., with no further notification.
• The meeting adjourned after the vote.