The Latest On Affordable Housing Near Princeton Shopping Center

PRINCETON, NJ - The Planning Board deferred vote on the affordable housing developments near Princeton Shopping Center.

AvalonBay and Princeton Eden LLC are seeking preliminary/final major site plan and minor subdivision to build 200 units, 40 of which should be affordable housing.

At the special meeting held on Oct. 14, the Township’s engineering department said it received the traffic report only a few days before the meeting, which proved to be a major point in rescheduling the hearing.

At the last meeting held on Sept. 29, the traffic report was not discussed. The Township’s municipal team said they received the traffic study on Oct. 11, leaving them with no time to review it.

“Just for the record, we only received the updated report a few days ago and we have not had sufficient time to review it,” said Jim Purcell, land use engineer.

However, Heather Balgowan, traffic consultant for the Board did make some suggestions based on prior knowledge and research. She said the shopping center has 40,000 square feet of vacant space available. Balgowan recommended studying the driveways in the shopping center and traffic signals “at a 100 percent occupancy” to make sure it’s designed to handle the 200 units of apartments as well as when the shopping center has all its tenants move in.

Representatives of applicants presented testimony during the meeting, which was attended by 56 people.

The council had designated the Princeton Shopping Center and adjacent parcels in need of redevelopment as the Harrison Terhune Redevelopment Area. The plan is crucial as it'll help the township meet its court-mandated fair share of affordable housing.

During the public comment section, many residents raised traffic concerns. Nuria Diaz-Tena of Clearview Avenue said she was concerned about pedestrian and bike security. Diaz-Tena said she understood there was not enough space to have cars, bikes, pedestrians, and other improvements. She asked if the south of the shopping center has been considered for bike and pedestrian traffic exclusively. Other residents expressed concern about the height of the building, which has been an issue with many residents living nearby who believe it encroaches on their privacy.

The Board will continue the application hearing on Oct. 26.

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