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Franklin Park council approves conditional use allowing Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary to expand
Summary
The council approved conditional use application CU25‑10‑02 to expand Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary onto an adjacent parcel, subject to the staff/planning commission conditions in the Oct. 29, 2025 report; council recorded the motion and carried it during the public hearing.
During a public hearing on Nov. 19, the Franklin Park Borough Council approved conditional use application CU25‑10‑02, allowing Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary to use an adjacent parcel for animal husbandry subject to staff and planning commission conditions.
Dr. Karen Phillips, founder and director of Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, described the sanctuary's 15 years of operation and said the neighboring property abuts her existing parcel and offers additional grazing land and a historic barn she would like to renovate for indoor classes. Planning staff noted the planning commission recommended approval with conditions and entered exhibits and the staff report into the record.
Council and staff discussed a condition requiring that the barn shown on the site plan not be used to house animals because of its proximity to the property line; Dr. Phillips confirmed she understood that condition and said her current animals have indoor access on the sanctuary's existing property.
A council member moved to approve CU25‑10‑02 for the property identified in the record as 1630 (Vin/Peggar) Lane, subject to compliance with the building inspector, zoning officer and the staff report dated Oct. 29, 2025. The motion was seconded and carried. The borough indicated it will send a notice letter following the hearing; because the application was neither contested nor denied, no further binding findings were recorded at the hearing.
