Princeton To Continue Hearing Affordable Housing Plan Oct. 14

PRINCETON, NJ — The Planning Board held a special meeting on Sept. 29 to discuss plans for affordable housing developments near Princeton Shopping Center. The plan is crucial as it’ll help the township meet its court-mandated fair share of affordable housing.

During the Sept. 29 Planning Board member heard from representatives of co-applicants AvalonBay and Princeton Eden LLC.

Developers AvalonBay is planning to build housing on the south end of the site which is currently a parking lot. The multi-family project allows up to 200 units, 40 of which should be affordable housing.

There is also a proposal for a freestanding Walgreens to be relocated to North Harrison Street

Township engineer Michael LaPlace said the staff has been working closely with the applicant to make the space pedestrian-friendly, accessible to transportation, including additional details on drainage and stormwater.

Rick Hoff, attorney for the applicants, asked the Board to allow for an “exception” of two minor subdivisions for the calendar year, to create two lots. The basis of which is Princeton’s affordable housing compliance.

There is a provision in the municipal land use law of section 51a that allows for the Board to grant an exception to this type of requirement, said attorney Frank Regan.

The traffic report was not discussed at the meeting.

The Board members questioned the representatives on wide-ranging issues related to the plan, including bike storage spaces, heat-pump fuels clothes dryers, and more.

The Board is expected to continue the hearing on Oct. 14. The application faces a deadline of Oct. 16, Hoff said.

In July town council voted in favor of two ordinances adopting redevelopment plans for affordable housing developments near Princeton Shopping Center.

The council had designated the Princeton Shopping Center and adjacent parcels in need of redevelopment as the Harrison Terhune Redevelopment Area.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.