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Township of Franklin, NJ
Hunterdon County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44]
A. 
AR-7.0 Agricultural Residential and RR-5.0 Rural Residential Zones.
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Farms, including any form of agriculture or horticulture, including the storage or sale of farm products, where produced, subject to the restrictions of § 220-13, Right to farm, the Schedule of Zone Requirements, § 220-8, and § 310-38, Applicability.
[Amended 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C]
(b) 
Single detached dwellings units.
(c) 
[1]Home occupations.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subesction A(1)(c), regarding affordable housing, was repealed 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06. This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection A(1)(d) through (h) as Subsection A(1)(c) through (g), respectively.
(d) 
Family day-care homes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:5B-16 et seq.
(e) 
Municipal facilities.
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(f) 
A golf course/clubhouse. See Article XII of this chapter.
[Added 8-24-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-05]
(g) 
Flag lots in accordance with § 220-12.
[Added 10-17-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-11]
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Farm structures, including barns, greenhouses, silos and temporary stands for the sale of products grown on the principal use.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(b) 
Residential purpose garages of not more than three bays.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(c) 
Residential storage structures.
(d) 
Residential recreational structures for private use.
(e) 
Off-street parking. See Article VIII of this chapter.
(f) 
Signs. See Article IX of this chapter.
(g) 
Animal shelters for not more than four domestic pets.
(h) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(3) 
Conditional uses and structures.
[Amended 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 18-44C; 10-17-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-11]
(a) 
Public schools and houses of worship in accordance to the conditions established by § 220-22.
(b) 
Two-dwelling-unit conversions in accordance with the provisions of § 220-23.
(c) 
Live-work unit in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.
[Amended 7-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-14; 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06]
(d) 
Wind energy system as an accessory use in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.1.
[Amended 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06]
(e) 
Ground array solar energy system as an accessory use in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.2.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(f) 
Commercial solar energy system in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.3.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
B. 
R-3.0 Residential Zone.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B; 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C; 10-17-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-11; 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-14]
(1) 
Lots conforming to the R-3.0 zoning standards prior to the adoption of this amendment which are improved with conforming structures shall be preserved as conforming lots and structures and the structures may be expanded in accordance with the bulk requirements of the R-3.0 Zone.
(2) 
Preexisting lawful lots of record of less than seven acres which are without structures thereon and do not meet the AR 7.0 standards in the Schedule of Zone Requirements of this chapter shall be deemed conforming lots and shall be entitled to development with the bulk requirements of the 3.0 Zone except that front yard setback shall be measured by the edge of the road right-of-way.
C. 
C-N Commercial Zone North.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Retail stores and shops.
(b) 
Restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments.
(c) 
Motor vehicle garages and service stations, provided that repairs and storage of vehicles are located within structures or in rear yards and are screened from view from adjacent streets.
(d) 
Banks and financial institutions.
(e) 
Administrative, executive, professional and other business offices.
(f) 
Theaters and playhouses, bowling alleys, driving ranges, miniature golf courses and other recreational establishments operated for profit.
(g) 
Hotels and motels.
(h) 
Medical office.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(i) 
Office.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(j) 
Bakery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(k) 
Coffee shop.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(l) 
Delicatessen.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(m) 
Eatery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(n) 
Personal service.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(o) 
Child-care center.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Off-street parking. See Article VIII, § 220-52.
(b) 
Animal shelters for no more than four domestic pets.
(c) 
Signs. See Article IX.
(d) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(3) 
Conditional uses and structures.
(a) 
Farms, subject to the limitations of § 220-13, Right to farm, the Schedule of Zone Requirements, § 220-8, and § 310-38, Applicability.
[Amended 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C]
(b) 
Two-dwelling-unit conversions, subject to the limitations of § 220-23.
(c) 
[2]Dog day care, subject to the following conditions:
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
[1] 
A maximum of 20 dogs shall be on-site at any given time.
[2] 
A minimum of 20 square feet of outdoor area shall be provided per dog.
[3] 
There shall be no overnight boarding.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(3)(c), regarding accessory apartments, was repealed 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06. This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection C(3)(d) as Subsection C(3)(c).
(d) 
Commercial solar energy system in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.3.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(4) 
Prohibited uses.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(a) 
Dry cleaner.
(b) 
Fast food restaurant.
(c) 
Gas station.
D. 
C-S Commercial Zone South.
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B[3]]
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Retail stores and shops.
(b) 
Motor vehicle garages and service stations, provided that repairs and storage of vehicles are located within structures or in rear yards and are screened from view from adjacent streets.
(c) 
Banks and financial institutions.
(d) 
Administrative, executive, professional and other business offices.
(e) 
Driving ranges, miniature golf and other outdoor recreational establishments operated for profit.
(f) 
Mini warehouses.
(g) 
Medical office.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(h) 
Office.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(i) 
Bakery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(j) 
Coffee shop.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(k) 
Delicatessen.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(l) 
Eatery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(m) 
Personal service.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(n) 
Child-care center.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Off-street parking. See Article VIII, § 220-52.
(b) 
Animal shelters for no more than four domestic pets.
(c) 
Signs. See Article IX.
(d) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(3) 
Conditional uses and structures.
(a) 
Farms, subject to the limitations of § 220-13, Right to farm, the Schedule of Zone Requirements, § 220-8, and § 310-38, Applicability.
[Amended 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C]
(b) 
Two-dwelling-unit conversions, subject to the limitations of § 220-23.
(c) 
(Reserved)[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D(3)(c), regarding accessory apartments, was repealed 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06.
(d) 
Dog day care, subject to the following conditions:
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
[1] 
A maximum of 20 dogs shall be on-site at any given time.
[2] 
A minimum of 20 square feet of outdoor area shall be provided per dog.
[3] 
There shall be no overnight boarding.
(e) 
Live-work unit in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.
[Added 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06]
(f) 
Commercial solar energy system in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.3.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(4) 
Prohibited uses.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(a) 
Dry cleaner.
(b) 
Fast food restaurant.
(c) 
Gas station.
[3]
Editor's Note: The former C Commercial Zone was repealed 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44]
E. 
NB Neighborhood Business Zone.
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(a) 
Principal and accessory uses and structures as allowed in the AR-7.0, RR-5.0 and R-3.0 Zones.
(b) 
One apartment of not less than 800 square feet area in buildings where a permitted business activity is carried on.
(c) 
Banks and financial institutions.
(d) 
Retail specialty shops and activities, e.g. antiques, arts, crafts, etc., which, if in an historic district, support the historic nature of the area.
(e) 
Small retail general or grocery stores, not including convenience stores that are dedicated to the selling of foodstuffs and/or general merchandise that are specifically designed to provide a limited stock-in-trade and which cater to quick in and out shopping.
[Amended 3-1-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-01]
(f) 
Hardware, plumbing, lawn, garden, building and farm supply stores.
(g) 
Administrative, executive, professional and other business offices.
(h) 
Restaurants.
[Amended 3-1-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-01]
(i) 
Clubs, lodges and fraternal societies.
(j) 
Fire and rescue services.
(k) 
Bakery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(l) 
Coffee shop.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(m) 
Delicatessen.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(n) 
Eatery.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(o) 
Medical office.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(p) 
Personal service.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(q) 
Child-care center.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
[Amended 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(a) 
Off-street parking and loading. See Article VIII of this chapter.
(b) 
Signs. See Article IX of this chapter.
(c) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
(3) 
Conditional uses.
[Amended 6-25-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-06]
(a) 
Live-work unit in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.
(b) 
Commercial solar energy system in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.3.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(4) 
Preexisting lots. Lots of record as of May 2, 1985, which are improved by structures thereon and do not meet the Neighborhood Business Zone standards in the Schedule of Zone Requirements of this chapter shall be deemed conforming lots and structures, provided that they meet the following area and bulk standards:
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
Standard
Requirement
Minimum lot area
21,780 square feet
Minimum lot width at front setback line
100 feet
Minimum lot frontage
75 feet
Minimum building setback from center of road
35 feet
Minimum lot depth from center of road
150 feet
Minimum side yard
15 feet
Minimum rear yard
15 feet
Maximum building height
35 feet
Minimum side or rear yard for accessory structures
10 feet
Maximum building coverage
60%
Maximum impervious coverage
75%
(5) 
See § 220-6 for the specific blocks and lots included in the Quakertown Neighborhood Business Zone.
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
(6) 
Prohibited uses.
[Added 4-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-03]
(a) 
Dry cleaner.
(b) 
Fast food restaurant.
(c) 
Gas stations.
F. 
Multifamily housing zone.
[Added 3-29-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-07; amended 12-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-18]
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Townhomes.
(b) 
Multifamily housing.
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Signs. See Article IX of this chapter.
(b) 
Off-street parking.
(c) 
Garages under or incorporated into the building design.
(d) 
Noncommercial swimming pools, tennis courts and other indoor and outdoor recreation facilities and amenities.
(e) 
Management and/or leasing office for the development.
(f) 
Utilities and essential services.
(g) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(3) 
Bulk regulations for the MF Multifamily Housing Zone, in addition to those found in the Schedule of Zone Requirements, are as follows:
(a) 
Building wall front-to-front setback: 60 feet.
(b) 
Building wall side-to-side setback: 30 feet.
(c) 
Building wall rear-to-rear setback: 60 feet.
(d) 
Building wall other configuration: 45 feet.
(e) 
Maximum building length: 180 feet.
(f) 
Maximum number of stories: three.
(g) 
Maximum density: eight units per acre.
(h) 
Accessory buildings shall be set back 10 feet from any property line and shall be a maximum of 15 feet in height. Accessory buildings are not permitted in the front yard.
(4) 
Affordable housing requirements. Within the MF Multifamily Housing Zone all applications for development shall comply with the following:
(a) 
A minimum of 20% of the total units shall be reserved for affordable housing, if the affordable housing units are for sale.
(b) 
A minimum of 15% of the total units shall be reserved for affordable housing, if the affordable housing units are for rent.
(c) 
All required affordable housing units shall be built on site.
(d) 
If the required number of affordable units results in a fraction of 0.4 or less, the number of units to be built on site may be rounded down and the application shall make a pro-rated payment-in-lieu to cover the fraction. If the required number of affordable units results in a fraction of 0.5 or greater, the applicant shall round up and provide the additional affordable unit. The payment-in-lieu fee in for 2018 is $100,000. The payment-in-lieu shall increase each year by 3%. Therefore, the fee will be $103,000 in 2019, $106,090 in 2020 and so on.
(e) 
Affordable units shall comply with the Fair Housing Act, the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, Chapter 176, entitled "Affordable Housing Ordinance" and shall be deed restricted for a minimum of 30 years.
(f) 
Unless the Township has retained its own administrative agent, the developer/property owner shall be responsible for retaining a qualified administrative agent, who shall be approved by the Township Committee and who shall be supervised by and report to the Township, to manage the affordable housing units.
(5) 
Refuse and recycling standards. Refuse and recycling shall be located in a centralized area. These areas shall be located for the convenience of the residents of the development. Outdoor refuse areas shall be screened and fully enclosed with a solid enclosure a minimum of six feet in height. Alternatively, refuse and recycling may be stored inside of the building.
(6) 
Landscape standards.
(a) 
Areas of the property not used for buildings, parking or other impervious surfaces shall be landscaped.
(b) 
There shall be a minimum ten-foot-wide landscaped buffer around the perimeter of the property (excluding driveways and utilities).
(c) 
Buffer plantings shall consist of a combination of shade trees, evergreen trees, ornamental trees and shrubs. Existing shade and evergreen trees within the buffer area may be counted in fulfilling the required buffer planting.
(d) 
Buffer plants shall include, at a minimum, the following:
[1] 
One shade tree for every 75 linear feet of buffer;
[2] 
One evergreen tree for every 40 linear feet of buffer;
[3] 
Ten shrubs for every 50 linear feet of buffer.
(e) 
Buffer plants shall be the following size at the time of planting:
[1] 
Shade trees shall be planted at a minimum three-inch caliper and shall be a minimum of 12 to 14 feet in height, balled and burlapped.
[2] 
Evergreen trees shall be planted at a minimum height of seven feet, balled and burlapped.
[3] 
Shrubs shall be planted at a minimum of 36 inches in height. All shrubs shall be evergreen.
(f) 
No more than 25% of the plantings shall be of the same species and/or variety of plant.
(7) 
Design parameters.
(a) 
Building facades shall consist of brick, stone, cast stone or other high-quality material along all sides.
(b) 
Buildings shall avoid long, monotonous, uninterrupted walls or roof planes. Building wall offsets, including projections such as balconies, canopies and recesses shall be used to add architectural interest and variety and to relieve the visual effect of a simple, long wall. Similarly, roofline offsets, dormers or gables shall be provided to provide architectural interest and variety to the massing of a building and to relieve the effect of a single, long roof.
(c) 
The maximum spacing between building wall offsets shall be 35 feet.
(d) 
The minimum projection or depth of any individual vertical offset shall not be less than 1.5 feet.
(e) 
The maximum spacing between roof offsets shall be 40 feet.
(f) 
The architectural treatment of the front facade shall be continued in its major features around all visibly exposed sides of a building. All sides of a building shall be architecturally designed to be consistent regarding style, materials, colors and details.
(g) 
Gable and hipped roofs shall be used to the greatest extent possible. Both gable and hipped roofs shall provide overhanging eaves on all sides that extend a minimum of six inches beyond the building wall. Flat roofs are permitted only as part of a green roof or renewable energy system, if all visibly exposed walls have an articulated cornice that projects horizontally from the vertical building wall plane.
(h) 
Fenestration shall be architecturally compatible with the style, materials, colors and details of the building. Windows shall be vertically proportioned.
(i) 
All entrances to a building shall be defined and articulated by architectural elements such as lintels, pediments, pilasters, columns, porticoes, porches, overhangs, railings, etc.
(j) 
Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, utility meters and regulators, exhaust pipes and stacks, satellite dishes and other telecommunications receiving devise shall be screened or otherwise specially treated to be, as much as possible, inconspicuous as viewed from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties.
(8) 
Utility improvements and services.
(a) 
All utilities lines and cables shall be underground.
(b) 
All developments shall be provided with public water and sewer service.
G. 
MXD Mixed-Use Development Overlay Zone.
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Uses permitted in the C-N Commercial North Zone on the ground floors of buildings only, but specifically excluding motor vehicle garages and service stations and any establishment with a drive-through facility; and
(b) 
Subject to the availability of sufficient public water and sewer service to accommodate it, multifamily housing on the second and third floors of buildings only.
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Signs. See Article IX of this chapter.
(b) 
Off-street parking.
(c) 
Indoor and outdoor recreation facilities and amenities for the multi-family tenants.
(d) 
Management and/or leasing office for the development.
(e) 
Walk-up automated teller machines, incorporated into a building's design.
(f) 
Outdoor dining, outside of the public right-of-way.
(g) 
Utilities and essential services.
(h) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(3) 
Prohibited uses.
(a) 
Any use not specifically permitted is prohibited.
(b) 
Motor vehicle garages and service stations.
(c) 
Establishments with a drive-through facility.
(4) 
Bulk regulations in the MXD Mixed-Use Development Overlay Zone are as follows:
(a) 
Minimum lot area: 10 acres.
(b) 
Minimum lot width at right-of-way: 250 feet.
(c) 
Minimum front yard setback: 100 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard setback: 25 feet.
(e) 
Minimum rear yard setback: 25 feet.
(f) 
Maximum height: three stories and 40 feet.
(g) 
Maximum impervious coverage: 75%.
(h) 
Maximum residential density: 16 units per acre.
(i) 
Building wall front-to-front setback: 70 feet.
(j) 
Building wall side-to-side setback: 30 feet.
(k) 
Building wall rear-to-rear setback: 60 feet.
(l) 
Building wall other configuration: 45 feet.
(m) 
Maximum building length: 200 feet.
(n) 
Accessory buildings shall be set back 10 feet from any property line and shall be a maximum of 15 feet in height. No accessory building shall be located in a front yard.
(5) 
Affordable housing requirements. Within the MXD Mixed-Use Development Overlay Zone all applications including residential development shall comply with the following:
(a) 
A minimum of 20% of the total units shall be reserved for affordable housing, if the affordable housing units are for sale.
(b) 
A minimum of 15% of the total units shall be reserved for affordable housing, if the affordable housing units are for rent.
(c) 
All required affordable housing units shall be built on site.
(d) 
If the required number of affordable units results in a fraction of 0.4 or less, the number of units to be built on site may be rounded down and the application shall make a pro-rated payment-in-lieu to cover the fraction. If the required number of affordable units results in a fraction of 0.5 or greater, the applicant shall round up and provide the additional affordable unit. The payment-in-lieu fee in for 2018 is $100,000. The payment-in-lieu shall increase each year by 3%. Therefore, the fee will be $103,000 in 2019, $106,090 in 2020 and so on.
(e) 
Affordable units shall comply with the Fair Housing Act, the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, Chapter 176, entitled "Affordable Housing Ordinance" and shall be deed restricted for a minimum of 30 years.
(f) 
Unless the Township has retained its own administrative agent, the developer/property owner shall be responsible for retaining a qualified administrative agent, who shall be approved by the Township Committee and who shall be supervised by and report to the Township, to manage the affordable housing units.
(g) 
The developer shall be responsible for paying the required development fees as outlined by the Statewide Non-residential Development Fee Act[5] applicable to the nonresidential portion of the development.
[5]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40:55D-8.1 et seq.
(6) 
Market-rate residential unit standards.
(a) 
Market-rate residential units shall have the following minimum unit sizes:
[1] 
One-bedroom: 600 square feet.
[2] 
Two-bedroom: 750 square feet.
[3] 
Three-bedroom: 950 square feet.
(7) 
Refuse and recycling standards. Refuse and recycling shall be in a centralized area. These areas shall be located for the convenience of the residents of the development and shall be screened from the public right-of-way and fully enclosed. Outdoor refuse areas shall be screened and fully enclosed with a solid enclosure a minimum of six feet in height. Alternatively, refuse and recycling may be stored inside of the building.
(8) 
Circulation.
(a) 
Sidewalks shall be provided along all public street frontages. In addition, sidewalks and/or walkways shall link all buildings within the development to the sidewalks of all adjoining public streets.
(b) 
Where sidewalks traverse vehicular driveways, crosswalks shall be provided and marked with textured paving in a contrasting material and color.
(c) 
All sidewalks shall have minimum clear paved walking width of at least five feet; however, sidewalks in front of all commercial storefronts and in other areas with high pedestrian traffic shall have a minimum width of at least seven feet.
(d) 
Sidewalks adjacent to streets shall also include a landscape strip with street trees and grass. Where street trees are thus required, they shall be planted no more than 50 feet apart, on center, on average. Street trees shall be a minimum of three inches caliper.
(9) 
Landscape standards.
(a) 
Areas of the property not used for buildings, parking or other impervious surfaces shall be landscaped.
(b) 
There shall be a minimum ten-foot-wide landscaped buffer around the perimeter of the property (excluding driveways and utilities).
(c) 
Buffer plantings shall consist of a combination of shade trees, evergreen trees, ornamental trees and shrubs. Existing shade and evergreen trees within the buffer area may be counted in fulfilling the required buffer planting.
(d) 
Buffer plants shall include, at a minimum, the following:
[1] 
One shade tree for every 75 linear feet of buffer;
[2] 
One evergreen tree for every 40 linear feet of buffer; and
[3] 
Ten shrubs for every 50 linear feet of buffer.
(e) 
Buffer plants shall be the following size at the time of planting:
[1] 
Shade trees shall be planted at a minimum three-inch caliper and shall be a minimum of 12 feet to 14 feet in height, balled and burlapped.
[2] 
Evergreen trees shall be planted at a minimum height of seven feet, balled and burlapped.
[3] 
Shrubs shall be planted at a minimum of 36 inches in height. All shrubs shall be evergreen.
(f) 
No more than 25% of the plantings shall be of the same species and/or variety of plant.
(10) 
Design parameters.
(a) 
Building facades shall consist of brick, stone, cast stone or other high-quality material along all sides.
(b) 
Buildings shall avoid long, monotonous, uninterrupted walls or roof planes. Building wall offsets, including projections such as balconies, canopies and recesses shall be used to add architectural interest and variety and to relieve the visual effect of a simple, long wall. Similarly, roofline offsets, dormers or gables shall be provided to provide architectural interest and variety to the massing of a building and to relieve the effect of a single, long roof.
(c) 
The maximum spacing between building wall offsets shall be 40 feet.
(d) 
The minimum projection or depth of any individual vertical offset shall not be less than 1.5 feet.
(e) 
The maximum spacing between roof offsets shall be 50 feet.
(f) 
The architectural treatment of the front facade shall be continued in its major features around all visibly exposed sides of a building. All sides of a building shall be architecturally designed to be consistent regarding style, materials, colors and details.
(g) 
Gable and hipped roofs shall be used to the greatest extent possible. Both gable and hipped roofs shall provide overhanging eaves on all sides that extend a minimum of six inches beyond the building wall. Flat roofs are permitted only as part of a green roof or renewable energy system, if all visibly exposed walls have an articulated cornice that projects horizontally from the vertical building wall plane.
(h) 
Fenestration shall be architecturally compatible with the style, materials, colors and details of the building. Windows shall be vertically proportioned.
(i) 
All entrances to a building shall be defined and articulated by architectural elements such as lintels, pediments, pilasters, columns, porticoes, porches, overhangs, railings, etc.
(j) 
Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, utility meters and regulators, exhaust pipes and stacks, satellite dishes and other telecommunications receiving devices shall be screened or otherwise specially treated to be, as much as possible, inconspicuous as viewed from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties.
(11) 
Utility improvements and services.
(a) 
All utilities lines and cables shall be underground.
(b) 
All development shall be provided with public water and sewer service.
H. 
VB Village Business Zone.
[Added 11-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-12]
(1) 
Permitted principal uses and structures.
(a) 
Bakery.
(b) 
Banks and financial institutions.
(c) 
Coffee shop.
(d) 
Child-care center.
(e) 
Clubs, lodges and fraternal societies.
(f) 
Delicatessen.
(g) 
Eatery.
(h) 
Family day-care homes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:5B-16 et seq.
(i) 
Farms, including any form of agriculture or horticulture, including the storage or sale of farm products, where produced, subject to the restrictions of § 220-13, Right to farm, the Schedule of Zone Requirements, § 220-8, and § 310-38, Applicability.
(j) 
Fire and rescue services.
(k) 
Home occupations.
(l) 
Personal service.
(m) 
Retail.
(n) 
Single detached dwelling units.
(2) 
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
(a) 
Farm structures, including barns, greenhouses, silos and temporary stands for the sale of products grown on the principal use.
(b) 
Off-street parking. See Article VIII of this chapter.
(c) 
Outdoor dining, outside of the public right-of-way.
(d) 
Residential purpose garages of not more than three bays.
(e) 
Residential recreational structures for private use.
(f) 
Residential storage structures.
(g) 
Signs. See Article IX of this chapter.
(h) 
Solar panels as a rooftop installation, provided that the solar panels do not exceed a height of eight inches from the rooftop.
(3) 
Conditional uses and structures.
(a) 
Live-work units in accordance with the provisions of § 220-24.
(4) 
Prohibited uses.
(a) 
Any use not specifically permitted is prohibited.
(b) 
Dry cleaner.
(c) 
Fast food restaurant.
(d) 
Gas station.
(e) 
Service station.
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44; amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 17-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B;9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C; 8-5-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-10; 12-2-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-21]
A. 
No buildings or structures, including driveways, shall be erected or constructed within an area having a slope in excess of 15%.
B. 
Driveway requirements: Chapter 166, Driveways.
C. 
Off-street parking and loading requirements: Article VIII of this chapter.
D. 
Fire protection standards: Chapter 193, Fire Prevention.
E. 
Water supply and septic requirements: § 220-43 of this chapter and Chapter 420, Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual, and Chapter 365, Wells.
F. 
Stormwater management provisions: Chapter 316, Surface Water Management.
G. 
Off-tract improvements provisions: § 310-76 of Chapter 310).
H. 
Right to farm provisions: §§ 220-13 and 220-39 of this chapter.
I. 
Streets and sidewalks provisions: Chapter 278, Roadway Obstructions, and Chapter 303, Streets Openings and Excavations.
J. 
Airport hazard provisions established by N.J.A.C. 16:62-4.1, 16:62-4.2 and 16:62-5.1: §§ 220-50 and 220-51 of this chapter.
K. 
Requirements for specific accessory structures: § 220-42 of this chapter.
L. 
Any proposed major or minor subdivision shall divide the tract comprising the subdivision in such a manner that each resulting lot created meets the minimum acreage required in the zone and shall contain a required minimum improvable area of not less than the acreage shown in Table A, and said area shall be contiguous and unfragmented. This requirement shall apply independently of any density requirement set forth in Article III, § 220-8 of this chapter.
Table A
Zone
Required Minimum Improvable Area
(square feet)
R-3
43,000
R-5
60,000
R-7
80,000
[Amended 3-2-1979; 12-27-1996 by Ord. No. 96-32; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B; 9-3-1998 by Ord. No. 98-44C; 4-1-1999 by Ord. No. 99-5; 10-17-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-11; 11-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-14]
In the AR-7.0 and RR-5.0 Zones, where the proposed development meets the standards for a minor subdivision, the minimum road frontage requirement may be reduced without variance or waiver pursuant to Chapter 310, Subdivision of Land and Site Plan Review, provided that:
A. 
The area of the proposed flag lot, exclusive of the flag staff, is a minimum area of one acre greater than the minimum acreage required in the subject zone.
B. 
The flag staff center line is perpendicular to public road frontage and the flag staff at its public road frontage is a minimum of 30 feet and a maximum of 35 feet wide.
C. 
The flag staff is not longer than 1,000 feet, and the driveway will be located within the flag staff and will meet all requirements, including slope limitations, of Chapter 166, Driveways, of the Code of Franklin Township.
D. 
The flag staff is not closer than the required minimum road frontage for the subject zone to another flag lot staff.
E. 
The minimum flagpole length shall be no less than the front yard setback for the zone.
F. 
Development on the flag lot shall be buffered from adjacent residential homes.
[Added 9-5-1980]
A. 
The right to farm is hereby recognized to exist in this Township subject to the Schedule of Zone Requirements, § 220-8, and site plan approval pursuant to Chapter 310, Subdivision of Land and Site Plan Review, of the Code of Franklin Township and further subject to the standards and regulations for intensive fowl or livestock use in § 220-13E below and applicable health and sanitary codes. This right to farm includes:
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44]
(1) 
Use of irrigation pumps and equipment, aerial and ground seeding and spraying, tractors and other equipment.
(2) 
Use of necessary farm laborers.
(3) 
Application of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and the application of manure.
(4) 
Grazing of animals and use of range for fowl, subject to the standards and regulations for intensive fowl and livestock use.
(5) 
Construction of fences for animals and livestock.
(6) 
Traveling and transportation of large, slow-moving equipment over roads within the Township.
(7) 
Control of vermin and pests, provided that such control is practiced under applicable state fish and game laws.
(8) 
Use of land for recreational purposes, only with the permission of the farm owner. Any recreational use of the farmland which changes the underlying agricultural nature of the use shall be subject to site plan review, variance application and all permits otherwise required.
[Amended 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44A; 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44B]
B. 
The purpose of these rights is to produce agricultural products, e.g., vegetables, grains, hay, fruits, fibers, wood, trees, plants, shrubs, flower and seeds.
C. 
The foregoing uses, activities and rights, when reasonable and necessary for farming, livestock or fowl production and when conducted in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices, may occur on holidays, Sundays and weekends by day or night and shall include the attendant or incidental noise, odors, dust and fumes associated with these practices.
D. 
It is hereby determined that whatever nuisance may be caused to others by these uses and activities is more than offset by the benefits from farming to the neighborhood, community and society in general by preservation of open space, the beauty of the countryside and clean air. The preservation and continuance of farming operations in Franklin Township and New Jersey is a source of agricultural products for this and future generations and saves a nonreplenishable resource, i.e., the land.
E. 
In all zones:
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44]
(1) 
Not more than 25 fowl on a lot of 65,340 square feet of area and not more than 150 fowl on a lot of 130,680 square feet of area, both excluding the area covered by a house and garage, may be kept. On lots between 65,340 and 130,680 square feet in area, the number of fowl permitted shall be determined in a pro rata manner. On parcels larger than 130,680 square feet, not more than 300 fowl per acre shall be kept, except that where off-tract manure disposal is employed, the Township Land Use Board, after report from the Board of Health, may allow higher densities, provided that the buildings housing the fowl are centrally located on the tract and adjoining properties are of equal or larger tract size with centrally located buildings.
(2) 
No more than two feeder (not breeder) swine per year may be kept on a lot of not less than five acres.
(3) 
On a lot of five to 20 acres, not more than 10 swine may be kept, except that if swine are breeders there is no limit on piglets until they reach marketable feeder pig size. For each additional acre, one sow may be kept.
(4) 
No swine shall be kept in any building, pen or other enclosure located within 200 feet of any road or of any dwelling other than that of the owner.
(5) 
No building housing more than 500 fowl or five head of livestock shall be located within 100 feet of any road or any side or rear lot boundary line.
(6) 
No horses, horse shelter, run or corral area used therefor shall be erected, maintained or used except in full compliance with Subsection E(8).
(7) 
All fowl and livestock shall be kept in a manner to maintain proper and sufficient care for their well-being and the maintenance of buildings and grounds.
(8) 
Barns for large livestock. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Schedule of Zone Requirements,[1] barns for large livestock shall meet the following requirements:
(a) 
No horse, cow or steer shall be kept on a lot having an area of less than 87,120 square feet, excluding the area occupied by a house and garage.
(b) 
One such animal may be kept on a lot having an area of at least 87,120 square feet, excluding the area occupied by the house and garage. For each additional one acre up to a total size of five acres, one such animal may be kept.
(c) 
No shelter for such an animal shall be within 50 feet of a property line or in any part of the minimum required front setback distance.
(d) 
The standards set forth in this Subsection E(8) shall not be applicable to any tract which meets the definition of a farm. (See § 220-5, definition of "farm.")
[1]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of Zone Requirements is included as an attachment to this chapter.
F. 
Agricultural structures may require site plan approval in accordance with Chapter 310, § 310-38.
[Added 12-4-1997 by Ord. No. 97-44]