Revisiting Princeton Master Plan: More Community Input Needed

PRINCETON, NJ — During the summer a survey went out to Princeton residents seeking their input on economic development and consumer preferences. The “Tell Us What You Want Survey” received over 4,000 responses.

And now, the Municipality wants residents to continue weighing in by taking the Community Visioning Survey, which will help Princeton as it revisits its master plan.

The second survey is open through the end of October, and is crucial for the next phase in Princeton's master plan, focusing on broader issues, including housing, development, parks, transportation, and sustainability.

“We were delighted that more than 4,000 people took that survey and were also pleased that about three-quarters of the responses came from Princeton residents,” Louise Wilson, Princeton Planning Board Chair and a member of the Princeton Master Plan steering committee said in a statement. “Its findings will inform a new economic development element of the updated community master plan.”

According to Wilson, the most important public participation phase of the work has just begun.

“This second survey is quite different and arguably even more important,” Wilson said. “It gets at community values, priorities and concerns. The findings from this second survey are crucially important as we prepare for upcoming community-wide open houses, formulate overarching master plan goals and principles, and prepare for more detailed decision-making and specific recommendations regarding land use, mobility, conservation and preservation.”

The Princeton master plan steering committee is tasked with overseeing the project and is represented by a diverse group of stakeholders.

Members include:

• Kristin Appelget, Princeton University
• Cecilia Birge, Assistant Principal, Princeton High School
• Emma Brigaud, Princeton Future
• Sam Bunting, Walkable Princeton
• Jennifer Carson, LiLLiPiES Bakery
• Nick Di Domizio, LGBTQ liaison to the Civil Rights Commission;
• Brian McDonald, Board of Education
• Liliana Morenilla, Human Services Advocate
• Shirley Satterfield, Historian
• Christine Symington, Executive Director, Sustainable Princeton

Tim Quinn, vice chair of the Planning Board and chair of the Master Plan Subcommittee said more direct involvement from the community is crucial. “Progress on any issue in Princeton requires robust civic involvement. We want all voices to be heard,” Quinn said.

Committee meetings are held virtually and is open to the public with dates, times, and registration information available on the project’s webpage.

Additionally, an open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Princeton Public Library Community Room from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. The open house will give the public an in-person opportunity to listen to ideas, ask questions, and contribute at their leisure.

Princeton residents can learn more about the Master Plan timeline, sign up to receive process updates, and take the new Community Visioning Survey by clicking here. Responses will be collected through October

What is a master plan?

The Princeton Master Plan is a document adopted by the Planning Board, which sets policies for land use as envisioned by the municipality. This includes the type and location of new development and redevelopment, vehicles, pedestrians and bikes circulation, hazard mitigation and climate adaptation, conservation, preservation, utilities, public facilities and other elements of the built and natural environment. The master plan essentially articulates the vision for the community.

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