Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Site Plans topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission reviews decks, subdivisions and Habitat plans; members push tree protections and pervious surfaces
Summary
The commission reviewed three site plans — a 418 sq ft deck at 1661 Amwell Road, a three‑lot subdivision at 426 Ralph Street, and a Habitat for Humanity build at 29 Casa Street — and pressed applicants on tree protection, use of pervious pavers and limits on lot variances; staff will forward comments to the zoning and planning boards.
Franklin Township's Environmental Commission reviewed multiple site plans and old business May 18, urging applicants and staff to prioritize tree protection and low‑impact materials.
Deck and paver at 1661 Amwell Road: Commissioner/presenter (S8) described an application from Judy Rosier proposing a 418‑square‑foot ground‑level composite deck and 195 square feet of pavers in a narrow pre‑existing lot. The proposal would leave only 5 feet of side yard where 15 feet are required, so the applicant will need a variance at the zoning board. S8 recommended using pervious pavers or a small rain garden to address additional impervious coverage, saying, "this is a perfect place to use pervious pavers." Commissioners noted the lot remains under the allowable impervious coverage but urged buffering where possible.
426 Ralph Street subdivision: Commissioner (S2) outlined a proposal to subdivide a large lot into three parcels to build two additional single‑family homes. The applicants request C2 variances for frontage and lot area (proposed lots roughly 10,000 and 15,000 sq ft where the minimum was reported elsewhere as larger). The plan anticipates removing trees but includes a replacement schedule calling for 13 replacement trees calculated by caliper. Commissioners suggested planting additional native species where space permits and recommended low‑impact driveway materials (LED street lights and construction during daytime hours were suggested conditions).
Habitat for Humanity at 29 Casa Street: Commissioners reviewed a Habitat plan for a modest ranch house on narrow lots and focused on protection of existing mature trees. Members flagged one very large tree (noted in the meeting as a caliper roughly 38 inches) near the proposed foundation and urged applicants to install tree protection fencing and avoid placing heavy equipment within protected zones; they asked applicants to confirm foundation and staging methods designed to minimize root disturbance and long‑term canopy loss.
Old business and site ownership: Commissioners revisited an inquiry about a pedestrian cut‑through at Rutgers Plaza and asked staff to verify parcel ownership and any past requirements for fence installation, noting that making improvements could create liability if the township accepts responsibility for maintenance. Separately, the chair reported that an Onyx warehouse application appears stalled because required easements for truck access were not granted by adjacent property owners and the application appears effectively dead.
Staff will consolidate the commission's comments and forward them to the zoning and planning boards as part of the formal review processes.
