[Added 2-10-2026 by Ord. No. 4489-26]
[Added 2-10-2026 by Ord. No. 4491-26]
The purpose of the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 1 is to implement the Township Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan by providing for the opportunity to develop an inclusionary residential development that incorporates an appropriate affordable housing set-aside to address the Fourth Round obligation of the Township for the period 2025 to 2035. The MFIZ-1 district provides for the development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income housing in a suitable location.
A. 
Applicability. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone District - 1 shall be applied to the property being known as Block 468.01 Lot 15.01 in the Township Tax Map. The Official Zoning Map of the Township of Franklin is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing and is incorporated by reference. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone District - 1 shall be permitted to be developed with a residential housing development with a 100% affordable residential development in conformance with the Uniform Housing Affordable Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:50-26.1 et seq.) and all applicable regulations and legislation.
B. 
Principal permitted use in the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 1 shall be multifamily apartments.
C. 
Standards:
(1) 
The existing landscaping and perimeter buffers shall be maintained in good condition.
(2) 
All new utilities must be installed underground.
(3) 
All existing lighting shall be maintained in good condition.
(4) 
Maximum density 15 units per acre.
(5) 
All projects shall be served by public water and sewer.
(6) 
All existing amenities (e.g., outdoor swimming pool, BBQ/picnic fire pit area, landscaped walking paths, recreational green space, and clubhouse building with a fitness center, and communal space for resident events, meetings, and gatherings) shall remain and maintained in good working order. The existing amenities may be replaced, moved or changed to other similar amenities subject to the review and approval by the Township.
(7) 
Other requirements.
(a) 
Minimum lot size shall be nine acres.
(b) 
Minimum frontage shall be 250 feet.
(c) 
Minimum front yard shall be 50 feet.
(d) 
Minimum side yard shall be 10 feet.
(e) 
Maximum lot coverage shall be 50%.
(f) 
Maximum impervious coverage shall be 70%.
(g) 
Minimum rear yard shall be 50 feet.
(h) 
The total height of any building shall not exceed two stories nor 35 feet in height.
(i) 
Parking amount shall be no less than the number of existing spaces as of January 1, 2026.
(8) 
Permitted accessory uses. Accessory uses which are customarily incidental to said use, such as but not limited to the following, shall be permitted on the same lot:
(a) 
Community building and clubhouse.
(b) 
Outdoor recreational facility.
(c) 
Swimming pool.
(d) 
Management office.
(e) 
Maintenance and storage building.
(f) 
Refuse and recycling structures.
[Added 2-10-2026 by Ord. No. 4490-26]
The purpose of the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 2 is to implement the Township Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan by providing for the opportunity to develop an inclusionary residential development that incorporates an appropriate affordable housing set-aside to address the Fourth Round obligation of the Township for the period 2025 to 2035. The MFIZ-2 district provides for the development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income housing in a suitable location.
A. 
Applicability. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone District - 2 shall be applied to the property being known as Block 500.01 Lot 1 in the Township Tax Map. The Official Zoning Map of the Township of Franklin is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing and is incorporated by reference. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone District 2 shall be permitted to be developed with a residential housing development with a minimum of 50% of the total number of the residential units be reserved for very-low/low/moderate income households in conformance with the Uniform Housing Affordable Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:50-26.1 et seq.) and all applicable regulations and legislation.
B. 
Principal permitted use in the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 2 shall be inclusionary affordable housing development of apartment buildings.
C. 
Standards:
(1) 
A planting screen having a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided along all side and rear property lines that do not abut an open space area. This screen shall consist primarily of evergreen trees and earth contouring so as to provide visual screen. Planting material shall be at least six feet high at the time of planting, and it shall be the responsibility of the owner to carry out this program and to promote such maintenance and care as is required to obtain the effect intended by the original plan.
(2) 
No off-street parking area shall be located within the required front yard area of the development tract.
(3) 
No on-street, parallel parking shall be permitted on any street, road, thoroughfare, accessway or driveway, whether public or private.
(4) 
On-site parking shall be proved in accordance with the Residential Site Improvement Standards.
(5) 
Under building parking is permitted with maximum amount of 250 spaces permitted.
(6) 
The following recreational requirements shall be met and developed with facilities suitable to serve the residents of the dwelling units; said facilities shall be located so as not to be detrimental to adjacent property owners by virtue of noise, light, glare and any other objectionable features emanating therefrom. A minimum of 400 square feet of recreational area shall be provided for each dwelling unit. These areas may include walking paths, green spaces, active recreation and indoor amenities.
(7) 
Other requirements.
(a) 
All projects shall be serviced by public water and sewer utilities.
(b) 
Minimum lot size shall be three acres.
(c) 
Minimum frontage shall be 200 feet.
(d) 
Minimum building setbacks shall be as follows: front yard: 50 feet; one side yard: 10 feet; both side yards: 50 feet; rear yard: 25 feet. Front yard setbacks shall apply along Elizabeth Avenue while yards adjoining Route 287 and Marcy Street (paper street) shall be considered side yards.
(e) 
Minimum setbacks for parking lots (whether above or below ground) shall be as follows: front yard: 25 feet; side yards: 10 feet; rear yard: 25 feet. Front yard setbacks shall apply along Elizabeth Avenue while yards adjoining Route 287 and Marcy Street (paper street) shall be considered side yards.
(f) 
The number of dwelling units shall not exceed 200 dwellings inclusive of affordable units.
(g) 
Maximum lot coverage shall be 50%.
(h) 
Maximum impervious coverage shall be 70%.
(i) 
The total height of the building shall not exceed five stories nor 65 feet in height.
(j) 
Minimum side yard setback for accessory building shall be 10 feet.
(k) 
Minimum side yard setback for garden shed and dumpster shall be eight feet.
(l) 
One entry sign shall be permitted as per Schedule 5.
(m) 
One building identification sign shall be permitted per building each such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(n) 
Interior driveway widths shall be at least 24 feet wide where used with ninety-degree angle parking and at least 18 feet wide where used with sixty-degree or forty-five degree parking. Where there is no parking, interior driveways shall be at least 15 feet wide for one-way traffic movement and at least 22 feet wide for two-way traffic movement.
(8) 
Permitted accessory uses. Accessory uses which are customarily incidental to said use, such as but not limited to the following, shall be permitted on the same lot:
(a) 
Private garages.
(b) 
Swimming pools.
(c) 
Recreation areas and incidental structures accessory thereto.
(d) 
Management office.
(e) 
Maintenance and storage building.
[Added 2-10-2026 by Ord. No. 4493-26]
A. 
The Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Plan, Township of Franklin, County of Somerset and State of New Jersey, Prepared by Heyer, Gruel & Associates, PA, Community Planning Consultants, dated January 2, 2026, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby adopted as § 112-350 of the Code of the Township of Franklin, Somerset County.
B. 
This amendment to Chapter 112 of the Code of the Township of Franklin exceeds six pages in length and shall be published by notice of title and summary of contents as permitted by N.J.S.A. 40:49-2.1. The full document will be on file with the Municipal Clerk and available for public inspection. Copies of the Redevelopment Plan will be available in pamphlet or similar form and will be available for sale to the public at a price not to exceed the cost of publication and distribution.
The purpose of the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone is to implement the Township Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan by providing for the opportunity to develop an inclusionary residential development that incorporates an appropriate affordable housing set-aside to address the Fourth Round obligation of the Township for the period 2025 to 2035. The MFIZ-4 district provides for the development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income housing in a suitable location.
A. 
Applicability. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 4 shall be applied to the property being known as Block 502.01 Lots 47.02, 50.01, 51.01 and 52.01 in the Township Tax Map. The Official Zoning Map of the Township of Franklin is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing and is incorporated by reference. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 4 shall be permitted to be developed with a residential housing development with a minimum 50% affordable residential development in conformance with the Uniform Housing Affordable Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:50-26.1 et seq.) and all applicable regulations and legislation.
B. 
Principal permitted use in the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 4 shall be multifamily apartments.
C. 
Standards:
(1) 
No apartment building shall be closer than 40 feet to any other apartment building nor shall be located within 200 feet of a single-family dwelling which is not located on the same lot.
(2) 
No more than 100 dwelling units shall be contained in any one apartment structure.
(3) 
A planting screen having a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided along all side and rear property lines that do not abut an open space area. This screen shall consist primarily of evergreen trees and earth contouring so as to provide visual screen. Planting material shall be at least six feet high at the time of planting, and it shall be the responsibility of the owner to carry out this program and to promote such maintenance and care as is required to obtain the effect intended by the original plan.
(4) 
No off-street parking area shall be located within the required front yard area of the development tract.
(5) 
No on-street, parallel parking shall be permitted on any street, road, thoroughfare, accessway or driveway, whether public or private.
(6) 
On-site parking shall be proved in accordance with the Residential Site Improvement Standards.
(7) 
Each parking area shall contain no more than 50 vehicle spaces and shall be adequately lighted either with LED wall-mounted or post-mounted ornamental fixtures.
(8) 
No off-street parking spaces, including detached garages, shall be located closer than seven feet to the principal building, and no principal building shall have off-street parking areas on all sides of the building.
(9) 
No off-street parking area shall be located closer than 10 feet to a side or rear property line.
(10) 
If garages are provided, they shall have an unobstructed clear floor space area of not less than 240 square feet and such a garage may be built into the dwelling structure or separately constructed as herein provided.
(11) 
Under building parking is permitted with maximum amount of 50 spaces permitted per building.
(12) 
Each group of attached garages shall be no more than one story in height. The architectural design and materials used in the construction thereof shall conform to the design and building materials used in the construction of other buildings and structures. No part of any garage or other accessory building shall be used for living purposes.
(13) 
The following recreational requirements shall be met and developed with facilities suitable to serve the residents of the dwelling units; said facilities shall be located so as not to be detrimental to adjacent property owners by virtue of noise, light, glare and any other objectionable features emanating therefrom. A minimum of 15,000 square feet of such recreational facilities shall be provided. These areas may include walking paths, green spaces, active recreation and indoor amenities. A minimum of seven acres must be subject to conservation easements.
(14) 
Other requirements.
(a) 
All projects shall be serviced by public water and sewer utilities.
(b) 
Minimum lot size shall be 10 acres.
(c) 
Minimum frontage shall be 250 feet.
(d) 
Minimum front yard shall be 75 feet.
(e) 
Minimum one side yard shall be 40 feet; minimum both side yards shall be 90 feet.
(f) 
Maximum density shall be 22 units per acre.
(g) 
Maximum lot coverage shall be 20%.
(h) 
Maximum impervious coverage shall be 40%.
(i) 
Minimum rear yard shall be 50 feet.
(j) 
The total height of the building shall not exceed six stories nor 75 feet in height.
(k) 
Minimum side yard setback for accessory building shall be 20 feet.
(l) 
Minimum rear yard setback for accessory building shall be 20 feet.
(m) 
Minimum rear and side yard setback for garden shed and dumpster shall be eight feet.
(n) 
One entry sign shall be permitted per Schedule 5, Sign Regulations.
(o) 
One building identification sign shall be permitted per building frontage and each such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(15) 
Permitted accessory uses. Accessory uses which are customarily incidental to said use, such as but not limited to the following, shall be permitted on the same lot:
(a) 
Private garage(s).
(b) 
Swimming pool(s).
(c) 
Recreation areas and incidental structures accessory thereto.
(d) 
Management office(s).
(e) 
Maintenance and storage building(s).
[Added 2-10-2026 by Ord. No. 4492-26]
The purpose of the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 5 is to implement the Township Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan by providing for the opportunity to develop an inclusionary residential development that incorporates an appropriate affordable housing set-aside to address the Fourth Round obligation of the Township for the period 2025 to 2035. The MFIZ-5 district provides for the development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income housing in a suitable location.
A. 
Applicability. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 5 shall be applied to the property being known as Block 85 Lot 59.04 in the Township Tax Map. The Official Zoning Map of the Township of Franklin is hereby amended in accordance with the foregoing and is incorporated by reference. The Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 5 shall be permitted to be developed with a residential housing development with a minimum 20% affordable residential development in conformance with the Uniform Housing Affordable Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:50-26.1 et seq.) and all applicable regulations and legislation.
B. 
Principal permitted use in the Multi Family Inclusionary Zone - 5 shall be multifamily apartments.
C. 
Standards:
(1) 
No apartment building shall be closer than 30 feet to any other apartment building nor shall be located within 200 feet of a single-family dwelling which is not located on the same lot.
(2) 
No more than 20 dwelling units shall be contained in any one garden apartment structure.
(3) 
A planting screen having a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided along all side and rear property lines that do not abut an open space area. This screen shall consist primarily of evergreen trees and earth contouring so as to provide visual screen. Planting material shall be at least three feet high at the time of planting, and it shall be the responsibility of the owner to carry out this program and to promote such maintenance and care as is required to obtain the effect intended by the original plan. The foregoing should not be required along Hempstead Drive.
(4) 
All private streets shall be paved to a minimum width of 28 feet.
(5) 
No off-street parking area shall be located within the required front yard area of the development tract along Route 27. Off-street parking shall be permitted within 10 feet of Hempstead Drive.
(6) 
No on-street, parallel parking shall be permitted on any street, road, thoroughfare, accessway or driveway, whether public or private.
(7) 
On-site parking shall be proved in accordance with the Residential Site Improvement Standards.
(8) 
Each parking area shall contain no more than 50 vehicle spaces and shall be adequately lighted either with wall-mounted or post-mounted ornamental fixtures.
(9) 
No off-street parking spaces, including detached garages, shall be located closer than seven feet to the principal building, and no principal building shall have off-street parking areas on all sides of the building.
(10) 
No off-street parking area shall be located closer than 10 feet to a side or rear property line.
(11) 
If garages are provided, they shall have an unobstructed clear floor space area of not less than 240 square feet and such a garage may be built into the dwelling structure or separately constructed as herein provided.
(12) 
Each group of attached garages shall be no more than one story in height. The architectural design and materials used in the construction thereof shall conform to the design and building materials used in the construction of other buildings and structures. No part of any garage or other accessory building shall be used for living purposes.
(13) 
The following recreational requirements shall be met and developed with facilities suitable to serve the residents of the dwelling units; said facilities shall be located so as not to be detrimental to adjacent property owners by virtue of noise, light, glare and any other objectionable features emanating therefrom. A minimum of 400 square feet of recreational area shall be provided for each dwelling unit.
(14) 
Other requirements.
(a) 
All projects shall be serviced by public water and sewer utilities.
(b) 
Minimum lot size shall be five acres.
(c) 
Minimum frontage shall be 300 feet.
(d) 
Minimum front yard shall be 50 feet.
(e) 
Minimum side yard shall be 40 feet.
(f) 
Maximum density shall be eight units per acre.
(g) 
Maximum lot coverage shall be 20%.
(h) 
Maximum impervious coverage shall be 45%.
(i) 
Minimum rear yard shall be 40 feet.
(j) 
The total height of the building shall not exceed 2 1/2 stories nor 35 feet in height.
(k) 
The fifty-foot front yard along Route 27 shall consist of lawn and landscaping. No hard surfaces including parking shall be permitted within this area. However, this area may include sidewalks, play areas, stormwater and other such amenities.
(15) 
Permitted accessory uses. Accessory uses which are customarily incidental to said use, such as but not limited to the following, shall be permitted on the same lot:
(a) 
Private garages.
(b) 
Swimming pools.
(c) 
Recreation areas and incidental structures accessory thereto.
(d) 
Management office.
(e) 
Maintenance and storage building.