Public record
49 Franklin Township public meetings, catalogued. Each one has the recording, a chapter index you can jump through, and a written account of what the body actually did.
The recordings and minutes are the township's own. Franklin streams and archives its Township Council, Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings on Granicus, with an index of agenda items; Council minutes are posted there too. LocalWhy does not host copies: every meeting and moment here links to the township's video and record. Granicus publishes no captions or transcripts.
The agenda indexes come from the published agendas. The written summaries are ours, and they cite the minute they came from so you can check them against the recording.
Minutes not yet posted. The agenda put Ord. 4522-26 on first reading: a 30-year PILOT for the final two phases of the Churchill-Millstone development on Route 27. It also listed the FMBA Local 88 contract, a final change order lowering the Cedar Brook water main contract to $941,685.91, and two police motorcycles. This page describes the agenda only; it records no votes.
The only application on the agenda was the Tawheed Dahwah Center's amended site plan and relief of conditions for a 19,350 sq ft place of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road, carried from October 15. No minutes are posted, and the outcome is not yet on the written record.
The Tawheed Dahwah Center application for a place of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road was on the agenda at 6:30 pm in the Council chambers; the agenda marks it carried to October 22, 2026, and marks a residential addition on Vermont Avenue approved. No minutes are posted.
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 agenda marks the Tawheed Dahwah Center application for 630 South Middlebush Road carried to October 15, 2026, to be heard at 6:30 pm in the Council chambers. It also marks a place-of-worship use variance at 60 Millstone Road approved and the Islamic Circle of North America application at 1320 Hamilton Street carried to November 5. No minutes are posted.
The special-meeting agenda marks APPROVED the Board's resolutions on the 258,150 sq ft warehouse at 135 Davidson Avenue and the related church subdivision and site plan. It then took up the Tawheed Dahwah Center's amended site plan for a place of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road, which the agenda marks carried to October 1. Minutes are not posted.
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.
Turning point
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.
Turning point
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.
The Council adopted the Collins Property open-space ordinances, 9-0, and introduced ordinances to acquire 287 Cedar Grove Lane for open space with $5,460,000 from the Open Space Trust Fund. The consent agenda approved a conservation partnership with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey for the Kerani property ($1,380,000) and a $168,204.10 Route 27 resurfacing contract. A Planning Board alternate nomination was tabled, 7-2.
The agenda marks all three 135 Davidson Avenue applications APPROVED: the D(1) use variance and site plan for Syracuse 1950 Easton Avenue Owner LLC's 258,150 sq ft warehouse, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of U.S.A.'s subdivision and site plan. The Board's minutes for this meeting are not posted, so the vote and conditions are not yet in the public record.
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.
Turning point
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.
Turning point
The Council adopted the CY2026 municipal budget as amended, 9-0, with $75,455,645.64 in appropriations and $41,722,842.00 to be raised by taxation for municipal purposes. Five residents spoke, among them one thanking the Council for limiting warehouses and banning data centers. The consent agenda carried a $325,000 guiderail repair contract and final change orders on water main and resurfacing work.
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 agenda for the CY2026 municipal budget introduction, with a hearing set for May 26: a CAP bank ordinance (4502-26), the budget self-examination resolution and the introduction resolution, plus the 2026 general and water-utility bond ordinances and a $293,500 open-space ordinance on first reading. No minutes are posted, so no votes are reported here.
The third night of the Tawheed Dahwah Center hearing, the only item. The applicant proposed banking 60 of its parking spaces and building 97, and its traffic engineer testified that the site's peak driveway would operate at level of service D. Board members pressed on attendance and intensity of use; objectors' counsel asked that banked spaces need Board approval. Carried to July 2, 2026.
The Planning Board carried the Concore Realty warehouse application at 403 Elizabeth Avenue to October 21, 2026, with new notice required, and carried the County of Somerset's Canal Road subdivision, which adds a lot to open space, to May 6. It approved 10 EV charging stalls at 607 Somerset Street, 8-0.
With Deputy Mayor Kharazi presiding and seven members present, the Council adopted Ord. 4501-26 vacating part of Executive Drive, which the Manager said will become a private driveway for an approved warehouse, and a temporary budget with an emergency capital appropriation, each 7-0. A resident objected to a new leaf disposal fee, and others raised traffic and crosswalk safety.
The Board memorialized, 4-0, its February 5 approval of JC IOS Acquisitions' outdoor materials storage facility at 945 Route 27 in the B-I zone. It approved a gymnasium for Somerset Bible Baptist Church and a sign setback variance for Wash King, and carried PSE&G's substation application to June 18.
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.
The second remote 2026 budget hearing covered the Police Department, Public Works with the water utility and open space, and Information Technology, including their capital requests. No member of the public commented, and no votes were taken.
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.
The first of two remote 2026 budget hearings. The Township Manager and department heads presented their 2026 budgets, from the Municipal Court and Tax Assessor to Finance and "all other budget lines". No member of the public commented, and no votes were taken.
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.
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.
The second night of the Tawheed Dahwah Center hearing. Objectors' counsel filed a stormwater engineer's report; the applicant's engineer and architect testified on the site plan, stormwater, parking and the size of the worship area, and residents asked about occupancy and enforcement. The hearing was carried to April 16, 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.
Turning point
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
With five of nine members present, the Council adopted three ordinances, including the vacation of part of Executive Drive, and a consent agenda that set the 2026 meeting schedule and renewed the Township's farmland preservation participation, each 5-0. Several residents asked the Council to support the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act.
The first night of testimony on the Tawheed Dahwah Center's application to amend an earlier approval for a 19,350 sq ft place of worship at 630 South Middlebush Road, chiefly to change its parking conditions. Objectors' counsel for the neighboring Snyder Farm raised traffic. The hearing was carried to February 19, 2026. The Board also approved 655MIZ, LLC's building addition, 7-0, and amended its by-laws.
With all nine members present, the Council's 9-0 consent agenda included an Axon "ALPR License and Integration" state contract of up to $37,800, the CY2024 audit and its corrective action plan, and two stormwater maintenance agreements. It introduced a Brookline Avenue parking ordinance and a pump-station easement. A resident raised the NESE project's air permit.
The Board continued its joint hearing on three applications at 135 Davidson Avenue: a 258,150 sq ft warehouse proposed by Syracuse 1950 Easton Avenue Owner LLC on a D(1) use variance, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of U.S.A.'s subdivision and site plan for the land it keeps. The applicant's engineer testified on access, stormwater and parking; objectors' counsel questioned the authority to sell the land, tree replacement and wetlands. All three were carried.
The Council designated 606–610 Franklin Boulevard and neighbouring lots (Block 233, Lots 1.01 and 2.01; Block 234, Lots 1, 14.01 and 16) an area in need of redevelopment with condemnation powers, 8-0 with Mr. Wright abstaining. It adopted Ord. 4483-25, which bars the routine use of fossil-fuel on-site generators, 9-0, and sent $10,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to the Franklin Food Bank ahead of an expected SNAP disruption.
These are the Township Council meetings from late October 2025 onward, and the Planning and Zoning Board meetings that decided the issues we follow. Everything the township records is on its Granicus archive whether or not it is catalogued here. If a meeting bearing on these issues is missing, write to info@localwhy.org .