Zoning board approves Habitat for Humanity infill home at 29 Kossuth with deed restriction and macadam driveway

The Franklin Township Zoning Board on July 16 granted variances to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity for a one‑story, three‑bedroom affordable home to be built at 29 Kossuth (Block 180, Lots 111 & 112), subject to conditions including a deed notice and a macadam driveway requirement.

Counsel Luke Pontier and engineer Spencer Lyons described the corner lot consolidation (total 5,000 sq ft) and the need for relief from minimum lot area/lot frontage requirements. Planner Mark Remsa and the engineer said the proposed house (about 1,224 sq ft) is intended as an affordable rancher and that the coverage variances arise from the small lot. Testimony confirmed the property will be served by public water and sewer and that an existing large tree on the site would be preserved where possible per the environmental commission’s recommendation.

Board members debated driveway surfacing after environmental staff suggested pervious pavers. The applicant recommended gravel for cost and manageable infiltration; some board members expressed concern about gravel maintenance in winter. The board polled members on whether to require a macadam (paved) driveway; after discussion, the board approved the application with two explicit conditions: (1) the deed from Habitat to the first homeowner must include language informing the owner that further construction requires returning to the zoning board, and (2) the driveway shall be constructed of macadam rather than gravel. The motion carried by roll call; one member said they preferred gravel but voted in favor so the conditions could be applied consistently across the two Habitat approvals.

The board instructed counsel and staff to include these conditions in the written resolutions for both Habitat sites and to record the exhibits with the planning department.