Affordable housing

Franklin's Fourth Round affordable-housing plan

Franklin's 2025–2035 obligation is 659 new affordable homes plus a separate rehabilitation share of 268. A court order of February 9, 2026 approved the township's amended plan, which provides 522 units plus 165 bonus credits, and the zoning to carry it out was adopted in February and March 2026.

Checked against the primary record on . Every figure on this page is sourced at the foot of the article.

Plan approved by court order; compliance certificate not yet posted Last moved

What happens next

The township has asked the court for a confirmation hearing so that a Certification of Compliance can issue; no date has been posted. Each remaining housing site needs Planning Board site-plan approval, with a public hearing.

Every New Jersey town had to set its affordable-housing obligation for 2025–2035, the “Fourth Round,” and adopt a plan and zoning to meet it. Franklin’s case is docket SOM-L-000169-25 before Judge William G. Mennen in Somerset County.

The numbers. Franklin’s obligation has two parts. 659 is the Prospective Need: new affordable homes to plan for. 268 is the Present Need: existing homes to rehabilitate, a separate target. The Council first adopted 268 and 623 in January 2025; the New Jersey Builders Association challenged that, and the township settled at 268 and 659 in April 2025.

The plan. The Planning Board adopted the township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan on June 18, 2025. Its sites are redevelopments of commercial land: The Haven at 260 Davidson Avenue (a vacant extended-stay hotel to be converted to 142 affordable apartments), 347 Elizabeth Avenue, the Royal Somerset Inn at 315 Davidson Avenue, and 120 senior apartments at 606–610 Franklin Boulevard. After a settlement with Fair Share Housing Center, which added 11 affordable units at Dunbar Homes’ site on Route 27 and Hempstead Drive, the plan provides 522 units plus 165 bonus credits (687 credits).

In court. On February 9, 2026 the court approved the amended plan and dismissed the challenges of the eight parties that did not settle, according to the township’s March 13, 2026 letter to the court. The Council adopted the zoning ordinances (4489–4493-26) on February 10 and the fee and housing ordinances on March 10. As of October 29, 2026 the court’s Somerset page lists no Certification of Compliance for Franklin.

The Haven. The Council approved The Haven’s developer agreement in February 2026, a development agreement with CWP-ASR Somerset I and II in September, and a payment in lieu of taxes (Ordinance 4520-26, 9–0) on October 13. Township records give different figures for the trust-fund contribution and the deed restriction; the explainer sets them side by side.

What residents can do. The Royal Somerset, Pomegranate (347 Elizabeth Avenue), Dunbar and Franklin Boulevard projects each need Planning Board approval, with a public hearing. Any further PILOT needs a Council ordinance with a public hearing. The confirmation hearing, once scheduled, is a public court proceeding.

The housing plan, explained

Timeline

Each dated event on this issue, oldest first, linked to the full sourced entry.

  1. Resolved Council adopts a Fourth Round obligation of 268 and 623Resolution 25-069 set Franklin's 2025–2035 obligation at a Present Need (rehabilitation) of 268 and a Prospective Need (new construction) of 623. It passed on the consent agenda, 8–0, with Potosnak absent.
  2. Resolved NJBA settlement sets the obligation at 268 rehabilitation and 659 new homesResolution 25-160 endorsed the township's settlement with the New Jersey Builders Association: a Present Need of 268 and a Prospective Need of 659. It passed on the consent agenda, 8–0, with Francois absent. A court order fixed the numbers; the records give two dates for that order.
  3. Resolved Planning Board adopts the Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share PlanAfter a public hearing, the Planning Board adopted the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (CME Associates, May 29, 2025). It meets the 659 obligation with 676 credits at four redevelopment sites: 260 Davidson Avenue, 347 Elizabeth Avenue, 315 Davidson Avenue and 606–610 Franklin Boulevard.
  4. In court Fair Share Housing Center and developers challenge the housing planBy the August 2025 deadline, Fair Share Housing Center and several developers had filed challenges to Franklin's housing plan, among them EL-ION Franklin Development Group, Dunbar Homes and MCS Franklin II with others.
  5. Resolved Council ratifies the housing settlement with Fair Share Housing CenterResolution 26-063, on the consent agenda, ratified the settlement with Fair Share Housing Center, 9–0. It adds 11 affordable units at Dunbar Homes' site on Route 27, bringing the plan to 522 units plus 165 bonus credits. The five zoning ordinances to carry it out were introduced, each 9–0.
  6. In court Court approves the amended housing plan and dismisses the other challengesJudge William G. Mennen entered a Decision and Order approving Franklin's Fourth Round plan "as amended in accordance with the settlements with Challengers Fair Share Housing Center and Dunbar Homes, Inc.," dismissing the non-settling challengers and requiring implementing ordinances by March 16, 2026.
  7. Resolved Council adopts the housing zoning and approves the Dunbar and Haven agreementsThe Council adopted Ordinances 4489-26 to 4493-26, creating inclusionary zones for 315 Davidson Avenue, 347 Elizabeth Avenue, 260 Davidson Avenue and the Dunbar site, and adopting the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan, each 8–0 with Francois absent. Developer agreements with Dunbar Homes (Res. 26-091) and Haven LLC (Res. 26-092) passed on the consent agenda.
  8. Pending Township files its housing ordinances and asks for a confirmation hearingThe township sent the court its plan addendum and implementing ordinances 4489-26 to 4493-26, 4496-26 and 4497-26, and asked for a "HEFSP Confirmation Hearing" so that a Certification of Compliance can issue. As of October 29, 2026 the court's page lists none for Franklin.
  9. Resolved Council endorses the amended housing planResolution 26-150 endorsed the Planning Board's amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, adopted by the Board as an addendum on February 18, 2026. It passed on the consent agenda, 8–0, with Wright absent.
  10. Resolved Amended spending plan commits $3.5 million to The Haven and $3.44 million to Franklin BoulevardResolution 26-388 approved an amended Fourth Round spending plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, on the consent agenda, 9–0. As reproduced in the minutes, it commits $3,500,000 to The Haven at 260 Davidson Avenue and about $3,440,000 to 606–610 Franklin Boulevard.
  11. Resolved Development agreement for 260 Davidson; Haven PILOT introducedResolution 26-415 approved a development agreement and notice of intent with CWP-ASR Somerset I LLC and CWP-ASR Somerset II LLC for The Haven at 260 Davidson Avenue, with the property deed-restricted "for at least thirty (30) years." The PILOT, Ordinance 4520-26, was introduced 5–0.
  12. Resolved Council adopts the Haven PILOT, Ordinance 4520-26, 9–0The Council adopted a financial agreement exempting The Haven at 260 Davidson Avenue (142 affordable units) from property tax for as long as it remains under affordability controls, with a service charge of 4% of annual gross revenue. No one spoke at the hearing; in public discussion, four residents questioned the project or its PILOT.

Explainers

Documents

The township's own records on this issue. Each links to the official copy.

Meetings

  • Township Council — October 13, 2026

    The Council adopted Ord. 4517-26 (cluster subdivisions) and Ord. 4520-26, the PILOT for the CWP-ASR Somerset I and II affordable-housing project at 260 Davidson Avenue, each 9-0. In Public Discussion residents spoke on the Flock license-plate cameras, the Sentinel data center in South Brunswick and the NESE project, the Davidson Avenue housing site, PILOTs, stormwater and truck traffic. Mr. Singh said he supported a full public review and a new vote on the cameras.

  • Township Council — September 22, 2026

    With six members present, the Council adopted the $1,380,000 Catalpa Park open-space ordinance 6-0 and introduced Ord. 4520-26, a PILOT financial agreement for the CWP-ASR Somerset project at 260 Davidson Avenue, 5-0. Five residents raised leaks and water pressure after the King Road and Cedar Brook Drive water main work, and seven spoke on the Flock cameras.

  • Township Council — September 8, 2026

    The Council approved a $500,000 settlement with Transco over the federal condemnation of an access easement for Compressor Station 206, on land whose development rights the Township holds, plus $100,000 for a community benefit program, 9-0. It awarded the Catalpa Park construction contract and introduced a $1,380,000 open-space ordinance for the park. Eight of 15 speakers addressed the Flock license-plate cameras.

  • Township Council — March 24, 2026

    After a presentation of the 29-acre Catalpa Park plan, estimated at $9.0–$9.1 million with construction management, the Council authorized bids 8-0. Its consent agenda endorsed the Planning Board's amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and a $77,725 stormwater plan shared with Montgomery, and it met in closed session on the Williams Transco litigation.

  • Township Council — March 10, 2026

    The Council adopted Ord. 4496-26 on affordable housing development fees and the recycling, dog-licence and wedding-fee ordinances, each 9-0. Members reported on the 2026 road paving list, a planned review of the snow-removal ordinance, and property assessment notices with a May 1 appeal deadline.

  • Planning Board — March 4, 2026

    The Planning Board approved resolutions on the 2026 Master Plan Re-examination Report, the Fourth Round affordable housing obligations and the amended affordable housing development fee ordinance, each 8-0. It then heard a presentation sorting the re-examination's recommendations into batches of zoning changes. The Concore Realty warehouse application at 403 Elizabeth Avenue was carried.

  • Township Council — February 24, 2026

    The Council adopted Res. #26-112, barring federal civil immigration enforcement from using Township-owned property without a judicial warrant or order, as amended, 8-0. It adopted the Chapter 81 affordable housing ordinance and the Castleton Park easement, the Hamilton Street SID budget and assessment roll, and a $450,000 snow-plowing contract amendment, and met in closed session on possible open-space purchases.

  • Planning Board — February 18, 2026

    In a short meeting with no public present, the Planning Board adopted the 2026 Reexamination of the Master Plan and Development Regulations, 9-0, and the Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan addendum, 9-0. It memorialized the 230 Davidson Avenue warehouse approval.

  • Township Council — February 10, 2026

    The Council appointed Shubhendu Singh to the vacant Ward 1 seat, 8-0, then adopted the four inclusionary zoning ordinances for the Fourth Round housing plan and the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan amendment, each 8-0, after a property owner's lawyer asked for a delay. Ten residents spoke, most on snow and ice removal and on traffic lights.

  • Planning Board — January 21, 2026

    The Planning Board memorialized its resolution adopting the B-I zone Master Plan reexamination, 5-0, and found the Fourth Round inclusionary-zoning ordinances 4489-26 to 4492-26 and redevelopment ordinance 4493-26 not inconsistent with the Master Plan. It extended the approval for a warehouse expansion at 50 Atrium Drive and held a work session on the general reexamination.

  • Township Council — January 13, 2026

    The Council ratified its settlement with Fair Share Housing Center on the Fourth Round housing plan and introduced four inclusionary zoning ordinances (MFIZ-1, -2, -4 and -5), an amendment to the Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan and a water curb-connection fee ordinance, each 9-0. Three residents asked for help against the NESE project; the Council met in closed session on "Williams Transco".

  • Township Council — January 3, 2026 (Reorganization)

    At the 2026 reorganization, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill swore in five ward councilmembers, the Council named Alex Kharazi Deputy Mayor, and it appointed the Township Attorney, engineer, auditor and court officials 9-0. A 9-0 consent agenda adopted the 2026 temporary budget and extended the planner contract for the Fourth Round affordable housing challenges.

Sources for this overview

  1. Township letter to Judge Mennen, March 13, 2026 (reports the February 9, 2026 order)
  2. Settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center (signed December 31, 2025)
  3. Resolution 25-160 (NJBA settlement: 268 / 659), April 8, 2025
  4. Housing Element and Fair Share Plan with appendices (CME Associates, May 29, 2025)
  5. Township Council minutes, February 10, 2026 (zoning ordinances adopted)
  6. Township Council minutes, October 13, 2026 (Ord. 4520-26 and public discussion)
  7. NJ Courts: Somerset County affordable housing filings
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