Category Archives: Smart Growth

Apartment Conversion Of MacLean Street Masonic Hall Approved After Marathon Meeting

Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved required variances for a planned conversion of the old Masonic Hall on MacLean Street. The building will now be converted to ten apartments, including a mix of studios and one- and two-bed units. The … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, architecture, Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, The Parking Question, Zoning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Angry Signs Protest Walkable Apartment Proposal at Princeton’s MacLean Street

In January, Princeton’s Zoning Board of Adjustment was scheduled to rule on whether a proposal to convert the old Masonic Hall at John and MacLean St into apartments could go ahead. The hearing was postponed, and is now set to … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Princeton’s Mt Lucas Road Land Purchase: A Potentially Costly Deal

Princeton’s Democratic Council members are at loggerheads over a potential open space purchase off Mt Lucas Road. Proponents argue that the purchase is necessary to prevent development of 20.4 acres of land, and to provide a link between existing open space … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Trails, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton To Hold Hearing On Proposed Walkable MacLean Street Apartments

This Wednesday, January 27, Wednesday, February 17 the Princeton Zoning Board will have a hearing on a proposal to bring 10 new apartments to the old Masonic Hall at John Street and MacLean Street. The new apartments would potentially allow … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, architecture, People, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, The Parking Question, Walking, Zoning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Princeton’s New Housing Goals Promote Walkability and Diversity?

Princeton’s Planning Board is revising the Housing Element of the Community Master Plan. As part of this effort, they have developed a list of ‘goals’ that are intended to guide plans for housing. The goals appear to be a worthy effort … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, planning, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fact Check: Where Is Princeton’s Affordable Housing Concentrated?

Princeton Planning Board continues to discuss their response to recent court decisions focusing on affordable housing. According to one estimate, Princeton needs to build 1,000 new affordable units. At a recent joint meeting of the Planning Board and Princeton Council, … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, People, planning, Princeton, Smart Growth, Transit, Zoning | Leave a comment

West Windsor Is Making A Climate Action Plan. Princeton Should Make One Too.

Today, Princeton is not waking up to flooded roads, downed trees, and widespread blackouts (phew!). The much-discussed ‘Hurricane Joaquin’ is somewhere far out in the Atlantic Ocean. Our compatriots in South Carolina are not so lucky. Lashed by rain last … Continue reading

Posted in planning, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Transit | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Larini’s Site Should Be The Start Of A Princeton Transit Village

Princeton University has closed on the site of Larini’s Service Center, which for several decades ending this week has occupied the corner of Alexander Road and Faculty Road, providing automotive services to local residents. Philip Sean Curran at the ‘Princeton … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Density, Placemaking, planning, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Transit, Zoning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

‘A Princeton Of Villages’ – How Princeton Planned To Grow To A Green Community Of 40,000 People

Open space. A complete network of cycle paths. Housing options that preserved social and economic diversity. Stores that can be accessed easily on foot. All this was envisaged in 1973 by the Princeton Planning Board, as part of a 20-year vision … Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Community, Density, Placemaking, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Zoning | Leave a comment

Cancellation of Princeton-Plainsboro Bus Line Shows Challenges With Princeton Transit

This week, NJ Transit announced fare hikes and service cutbacks. Among all the bus lines in New Jersey, the only year-round daily service that is getting the chop is our #655 service between Princeton and Plainsboro. The #655 line was … Continue reading

Posted in Alternative Transportation, planning, Princeton, Smart Growth, Traffic, Transit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment