Affordable Housing Overlay Ordinance Introduced In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — Town Council recently introduced an ordinance establishing a new affordable housing overlay zone along portions of Witherspoon Street from Green Street to Valley Road.

“We thought it would be an interesting concept to look at the historic Witherspoon Street corridor,” Planning Director Michael LaPlace said during the council meeting, Aug. 23.

“What it would do is really “incentive zoning” – to encourage affordable housing and mixed-use along this stretch of Princeton.”

It also gives “added density” in return for preserving facades of older buildings along Witherspoon Street that are important to the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic District and allows for "sensible growth,” said LaPlace.

The Planning Director said the zone will bring a lot of “vitality” to the community. “It’s promoting historic preservation as well as bringing economic development and housing initiative,” LaPlace said.

This ordinance is an overlay zone and the existing zone will remain, LaPlace said. A property owner can opt to use this overlay zoning if they follow the guidelines.

The ordinance was also drafted keeping in mind the existing commercial uses and storefronts that have been along Witherspoon Street for a long time.

You can click here to read the ordinance. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Sept. 13.

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