Planning board approves Ayanna LLC plan for six EV chargers at 607 Somerset Street

The Franklin Township Planning Board voted unanimously on April 15 to approve Ayanna LLC’s preliminary and final site plan to install six electric vehicle chargers and a protective canopy at 607 Somerset Street, the site of an existing Wawa fueling station.

Joe Pero, attorney for Ayanna LLC, told the board the application seeks “preliminary and final site plan and variance approvals” to convert existing parking for EV charging, installing six chargers that will serve 12 parking spaces and related switchgear and a canopy. He said the applicant received a TRC memo dated March 11, 2026, and will comply with its recommendations.

The project prompted detailed questioning from board members about the canopy’s height and location, and whether equipment would extend above the existing 6-foot fence and into the 20-foot residential buffer. The applicant’s civil engineer, Joe Vanto of Kimley Horton Associates, explained the chargers and canopy are located along the rear of the property on the Myrtle Street frontage and that “we are not proposing any disturbance or changes to the actual buffering trees and landscaping.” Vanto said the design ties into the existing grade at the fence and that some existing landscaping and trees are taller than six feet.

David Lane, Ayanna’s site development manager, described the charging equipment and performance: “We’re level three fast DC charging. So it could be as quick as 15 minutes, 30 minutes depending on the type of battery and amount of charge needed.” He said the stalls will accommodate multiple plug types and serve Teslas and other manufacturers.

The board granted variances for front-yard and side-yard setbacks and accepted the applicant’s argument that the property’s multiple frontages create a practical difficulty. The applicant also requested two design waivers from the township’s EV design guidance: permission to use neutral white pavement striping instead of the township’s recommended green striping and to keep EV parking available to all customers rather than signed as EV-only. The attorney said the white striping aligns with Wawa’s statewide branding and TRC recommendations; board members expressed no objection to those waivers.

Members required conditions: the applicant must submit a revised lighting/illumination plan that incorporates canopy and sign lighting and must comply with the TRC report’s items. The board also included as a condition that existing landscaping remain in place or be enhanced as needed to mitigate visual impact. The motion to approve, including the variances and design waivers and the TRC compliance amendment, passed with all present members voting yes.

Board members and applicants also discussed specific design details raised by the TRC report: relocating or resetting any disturbed fences, a drainage/downspout plan for the canopy to handle runoff and snow shedding, and ground marking and signage for the two ADA-accessible charging stalls. The applicant confirmed two ADA-accessible spaces will be provided with an access aisle and appropriate signage and markings.

The approval resolves the application as presented with the stated conditions; the applicant will return revised lighting plans and finalize any required documentation to satisfy the TRC items.