Franklin Township Planning Board posted a Draft Master Plan Reexamination Report for the Business & Industry (B-I) Zone on their website, and it confirms what many of us have known all along: unchecked overdevelopment of warehouses has left our town with worsening traffic and declining quality of life. This draft has not been approved by the council (and will not before the election), but can be approved at any point in the future.

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For years, residents like Franklin Township Council candidate Jan Brant raised concerns, but with the same, one group in control, the outcome was consistent: approval after approval without anyone from a different perspective to make a challenge.

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Here are the key takeaways from the Reexamination and Master Plan Study that Jan wants Franklin residents to understand:

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Residents Were Ignored for Years

Between 2018 and 2023, developers submitted 37 applications for warehouses, adding up to 7.8 million square feet of floor space. More than three-quarters of this has already been built or is under construction.

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Instead of standing up for residents, Township leaders allowed this flood of development until traffic, noise, and safety concerns became impossible to ignore. By the time action was taken, the damage had already been done. (Read how Jan and fellow residents organized to take action here.)

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The “Fix” Still Permits More Warehouses

In 2023, the Township finally removed warehouses as a permitted use in the B-I Zone. 

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But the new potential draft plan quietly reopens the door to:

• Smaller warehouses (up to 150,000 sq. ft.) can still be built anywhere in the B-I Zone.

• Medium warehouses (up to 400,000 sq. ft.) are permitted within one mile of I-287.

• Only high-intensity facilities like massive fulfillment centers are prohibited.

 

This loophole means truck traffic will still pour into our neighborhoods, and the cycle of overdevelopment continues.

Traffic and Safety Crisis Is Unresolved

 

The Township’s own traffic studies show many key intersections are already failing (“Level of Service F”) during peak hours. Intersections at Davidson Avenue & Easton Avenue, Weston Canal Road & Randolph Road, and Cottontail Lane are projected to remain overwhelmed even under the new rules.

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For residents of our 55+ communities and families living along Easton Avenue, this means longer commutes, more dangerous roads, and reduced quality of life.

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Easton Avenue is one of the county's most dangerous roads. With Nokia Bell Labs being built at the other end of Easton in New Brunswick, along with increased truck traffic, this road will be a disaster. 

Overdevelopment Brings Legal and Financial Risks

 

The Township is now facing lawsuits from developers after scrambling to change the zoning rules midstream. Because of years of poor planning, taxpayers may end up footing the bill for litigation and settlements.

Franklin residents deserve better than costly mistakes caused by shortsighted decisions. 

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Lezny, Brant, Georges, & Guy have been clear in their platform:

• We opposed reckless warehouse development from the start.

• We support protecting residents before developers.

• We believe in stricter limits, real enforcement of truck routes, and transparency in zoning decisions.

• But the new draft plan quietly reopens the door to:

• Smaller warehouses (up to 150,000 sq. ft.) can still be built anywhere in the B-I Zone.

• Medium warehouses (up to 400,000 sq. ft.) are permitted within one mile of I-287.

• Only high-intensity facilities like massive fulfillment centers are prohibited.

• This loophole means truck traffic will still pour into our neighborhoods, and the cycle of overdevelopment continues.

• Traffic and Safety Crisis Is Unresolved

• The Township’s own traffic studies show many key intersections are already failing (“Level of Service F”) during peak hours. Intersections at Davidson Avenue & Easton Avenue, Weston Canal Road & Randolph Road, and Cottontail Lane are projected to remain overwhelmed even under the new rules.

• For residents of our 55+ communities and families living along Easton Avenue, this means longer commutes, more dangerous roads, and reduced quality of life.

• Easton Avenue is one of the county's most dangerous roads. With Nokia Bell Labs being built at the other end of Easton in New Brunswick, along with increased truck traffic, this road will be a disaster. 
  
  Overdevelopment Brings Legal and Financial Risks

• The Township is now facing lawsuits from developers after scrambling to change the zoning rules midstream. Because of years of poor planning, taxpayers may end up footing the bill for litigation and settlements.

• Franklin residents deserve better than costly mistakes caused by shortsighted decisions. 

• Lezny, Brant, Georges, & Guy have been clear in their platform:

• We opposed reckless warehouse development from the start.

• We support protecting residents before developers.

• We believe in stricter limits, real enforcement of truck routes, and transparency in zoning decisions.

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