Commission flags environmental concerns, recommends EV chargers for proposed truck-rental at Raceway property

The Franklin Township Environmental Commission on June 15 reviewed a D1 site-plan for Raceway Realty LLC that would convert a gravel area adjacent to the gas station at '27' on Bennington Parkway into parking for a vehicle-rental operation.

Commissioners raised environmental and land-use concerns — including the potential for leaked vehicle fluids from rental trucks to infiltrate groundwater where the lot remains unpaved, the durability of pavement under truck loads, and the need for screening adjacent properties. Members recommended the zoning/planning board consider required buffering and stormwater protections and suggested, as a condition of approval, that the applicant install at least two Level 2 electric-vehicle charging stations to accommodate electric trucks or hybrid vehicles in the fleet.

Commission discussion noted an estimated operational pattern of about 10 rental trucks typically on site (the applicant's materials showed space for about 20), and members suggested Level 2 chargers are adequate because rental vehicles would remain parked for extended periods. Commissioners also asked staff to note commercial requirements for EV spaces and to advise the zoning board about ADA and local commercial-parking rules.

The commission did not vote to approve or deny the variance at this meeting; it agreed to forward comments and recommendations to the zoning/planning board for the D1 variance hearing. The transcript records commissioners recommending mitigation measures (buffer planting, pavement strategy, and EV infrastructure) and raising competitive-use concerns about whether charging stations would be private or public.

Next steps: the zoning/planning board will take the formal variance application under review; the Environmental Commission will forward its recommendations for buffering, stormwater safeguards and two Level 2 chargers for consideration by the zoning body.