Zoning board grants variances for Habitat for Humanity to build affordable house at 5658 Main Street

The Franklin Township Zoning Board approved variances July 16 allowing Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to build a 100% affordable single‑family home on township‑owned property at 5658 Main Street (Block 173, Lots 9 & 10).

Counsel Luke Pontier said the applicant will consolidate two municipal lots (total area 5,000 sq ft) and build an infill ranch dwelling intended for sale to a low‑income buyer. Engineer Thomas Fick and planner Mark Remsa told the board the undersized lots create preexisting nonconformities (minimum lot area and frontage) and that the proposed dwelling’s lot coverage (27.7% proposed vs 20% permitted) and impervious coverage (38.8% proposed vs 30% permitted) stem largely from the small lot area.

Remsa said the application advances municipal goals for affordable housing and infill development and cited the municipal land‑use purpose statute referenced in testimony. The applicant proposed a gravel driveway to aid infiltration; the environmental commission had recommended pervious pavers, but the applicant and engineer defended gravel as a lower‑cost, functional alternative for this nonprofit project. Jessica Abbott, executive director at Raritan Valley Habitat, confirmed affordable‑housing administrative controls would limit subsequent unapproved capital changes by homeowners.

A board member moved to grant the variances subject to the conditions discussed; the motion passed by roll call. The board will include agreed conditions in the written resolution and provide the relevant exhibits to the planning department for the record.