Commission flags mosque application that conflicts with applicant’s website, raising traffic and parking concerns

The Franklin Township Environmental Commission said a mosque application for a South Mbush Road property needs clearer description of proposed uses after members found the application listed only Friday services while the applicant’s website described weekday school and other activities.

The chair told the commission the application and the website do not match and that discrepancy could materially change traffic and parking analyses submitted to the planning board. “The application says that only Friday services would be held, but the website describes the full schedule of school and weekday activities,” the chair said, noting the planning board described the submission as confusing and requested clarification.

Commissioners said the inconsistency undercuts due diligence because advertised activity levels influence required parking counts, peak‑hour traffic modeling and safety analysis. One member added that even if the website isn’t part of the formal application, “it’s suspicious if you have advertisement like this,” and recommended staff ask the applicant to either revise the application or correct the website so both match.

The commission did not vote on the project; members instructed staff to communicate the discrepancy to the township planner and the applicant and to request corrected materials before any final planning-board recommendations are drafted. The planning board has also flagged the matter for further review.