Master plan reexaminations (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.

The Planning Board reviewed Ord. 4517-26, the Council's update of the cluster subdivision rules that came out of the 2026 Master Plan re-examination; the agenda marks the item "APPROVED". The Council adopted the ordinance six days later. Draft minutes of this meeting are not yet posted.

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.

The Public Safety Director and a Flock Safety representative presented the township's license-plate camera system, and most of the residents who spoke in Public Discussion asked about data retention, audits, cost and civil liberties, several calling for the contract to be cancelled or put to a referendum. The Council adopted the cannabis and short-term rental ordinances, introduced the cluster-subdivision ordinance 4517-26, awarded $1.8 million in resurfacing and a $1,064,962 East Millstone water main, and met in closed session on warehouse and Transco litigation.

The Council adopted Ords. 4509-26 and 4510-26, which follow the 2026 master plan reexamination, and the ordinances to acquire 287 Cedar Grove Lane for open space with $5,460,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund, each 8-0 with Mr. Singh absent. It introduced a replacement cannabis ordinance with lower license fees and a new short-term rental chapter. In Public Discussion, Coppermine Road residents raised noise, parking and septic capacity at short-term rentals, and two cannabis cultivators objected to the proposed license fee.

With five members present, the Planning Board found Ord. 4509-26 (re-examination recommendations) not inconsistent with the Master Plan and approved Ord. 4510-26 (planning and zoning fees), each 5-0, and memorialized the County of Somerset's Canal Road open-space subdivision. It sent the Council draft changes to the cluster subdivision rules, 5-0; they became Ord. 4517-26.

The Council adopted Ord. 4507-26, the B-I zone ordinance limiting warehouses and removing data centers as a permitted use, 6-3, after a hearing with ten speakers. It introduced Ords. 4509-26 and 4510-26 on the 2026 master plan reexamination and the Collins Property open-space purchase, and approved a cost-share to preserve the Horses and Hay Farm. Residents presented a petition for safety measures on Beekman Road.

The Planning Board found the Council's B-I zone warehouse ordinance, Ord. 4507-26, "not inconsistent" with the Master Plan, 9-0, and reported back to the Council before its June 9 hearing. Its planning consultant said the ordinance was more restrictive than the Board's recommendation but served the same goals. No public comment was taken on the ordinance.

The Council introduced Ord. 4507-26, the B-I zone ordinance setting limits on warehouses, 6-0 with three members absent, after six residents spoke on warehouses and truck traffic. It adopted the 2026 general and water-utility bond ordinances, a $293,500 Open Space Trust Fund ordinance and a CAP bank ordinance, and awarded a $2,697,496 water-main replacement contract.

The objectors presented their case against the 258,150 sq ft warehouse at 135 Davidson Avenue and the related church applications. Their planner, Peter Steck, testified that the use variance should be denied and raised notice issues; the applicant entered the Council's ordinance vacating Executive Drive, which removes the variances tied to that street. Carried to June 18.

The Planning Board approved, 6-0, the County of Somerset's subdivision of 1452 Canal Road, which lets the County preserve about 23.9 acres as open space. In a work session it reviewed a draft ordinance carrying out the first recommendations of the 2026 Master Plan re-examination, the draft that became Ord. 4509-26.

The third night on the 258,150 sq ft warehouse proposed at 135 Davidson Avenue and the related church applications. The applicant's architect, traffic engineer and planner testified; the Planning Director noted that the site abuts a residential zone, which the B-I reexamination's draft standards would not allow; objectors' counsel argued the use variance needs an enhanced quality of proof. Carried to May 7, 7-0.

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.

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.

The Planning Board voted 8-0 to form an Open Space Plan Steering Committee to update the 2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan, and spent a work session on the third draft of the 2026 Master Plan reexamination: cluster zoning, outdoor storage, sidewalks and a possible rail trail.

The Council introduced the CY2026 Hamilton Street Special Improvement District budget and adopted a consent agenda that included road asset management software and the 2026 county recycling pickup agreement. Members reported on the January storm response and a proposal for all-way stop signs at Hamilton and Home Streets. No member of the public spoke.

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.

At a special meeting the Planning Board heard the B-I zone Master Plan reexamination, which sets size, loading-dock and location limits for warehouses, and adopted it 5-0. It then voted 5-0 to recommend the B-I zone standards to the Council. Seven residents asked questions or commented.

At its reorganization meeting the Planning Board approved a 35,510-square-foot warehouse behind an existing building at 230 Davidson Avenue, 8-0, adding sidewalks and limiting trucks to the WB-50 size. The Planning Director set out the schedule for the 2026 Master Plan reexamination and the January 14 B-I zone hearing.

On a 7-0 consent agenda the Council adopted Res. #25-511 supporting the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, asked the Franklin Township Sewerage Authority to transfer $100,000 to the Township budget, and set the 2026 budget hearings as remote meetings. A resident urged quick adoption of a new B-I zoning ordinance to limit warehouses.

The Planning Board memorialized its October 15, 2025 approval of two warehouses at 500 Atrium Drive, 5-0, and approved a shopping center at 390 Davidson Avenue. The Planning Director told the Board the ten-year reexamination of the Master Plan was due in the first quarter of 2026.