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

Posted on February 15, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Signs that have appeared around John Street apparently arguing against the 30 MacLean Street redevelopment (click to expand)

Signs that have appeared around John Street apparently opposing the 30 MacLean Street redevelopment (click to expand)

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 be heard on Wednesday, February 17. But signs have been stapled to lamp-posts and utility poles around the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, apparently protesting the development, because it runs afoul of existing zoning. Warning of “developers looking to convert properties to higher density usage and cash in”, the signs list a number of zoning regulations that would require variances if the project is to go ahead. But the developer in this case is a local person who has consulted neighbors, and a strict adherence to the zoning code is unlikely to be in the town’s best interests anyway. 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

Posted on February 4, 2016 by walkableprinceton
A red fox runs through open space in Princeton (click to expand)

Preserved open space in Princeton…can you spot the red fox? (click to expand)

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 to the west and east. But the amount of land that would potentially be subject to development is much smaller. If construction went ahead according to a site plan presented last November, townhouses would be built on just 9 acres of the land, with the majority of the site being permanently protected under a conservation easement (a so-called ‘cluster development’). That means that the town would be preserving just 9 acres of land, for a price – $4.4 million – that seems high. Continue reading →

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

Princeton University Issues Update On Goals Of Campus Plan

Posted on February 1, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Whitman College - a relatively recent addition to the Princeton University campus - completed 2007. Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications

Whitman College (2007), Princeton University. Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications

Last week, Princeton University released the first major update on the findings of its 2026 Campus Planning Exercise. The last Campus Plan led to a huge amount of development around the University grounds, including some highly-controversial projects such as the relocation of the terminus of the Princeton Branch rail line for construction of a new Arts Campus. The new Campus Plan is also likely to have a major effect on the town. Although the latest update is short on specifics, it provides some important insights about what areas the new plan is likely to focus on. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Community, Placemaking, planning, Princeton, Sustainability, The Parking Question, Transit | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton Bike Study Could Fix President Eisgruber’s Commute To Work

Posted on January 29, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Walter_Lowrie_House_(Princeton,_New_Jersey)

Walter Lowrie House, at 83 Stockton Street, Princeton – residence of Princeton University Pres. Christopher Eisgruber. (click to expand).

Consultants working to create a new bicycle circulation plan for the town of Princeton should also consider a very important stakeholder: Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber. Eisgruber was the subject of international press attention in recent months after his sensitive response when his office was occupied by student protestors. But around the same time, Eisgruber also revealed that he is now cycling to work as often as possible. You can find a photo of him arriving at Nassau Hall on his bicycle right here. But Eisgruber noted the problems associated with cycling in Princeton – problems which the new bike circulation plan will hopefully fix. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, People, planning, Princeton, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton To Hold Hearing On Proposed Walkable MacLean Street Apartments

Posted on January 25, 2016 by walkableprinceton
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Rendering of adaptive re-use apartment building at 30 MacLean Street in Princeton. (click to expand)

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 a creative new use for the building, and would provide some much-needed walkable homes (including 2 affordable units) within a 5-minute walk of downtown Princeton – assuming the Zoning Board grants the necessary variances.

Continue reading →

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

Princeton’s Next Chief Engineer Should Be A ‘Complete Streets’ Native

Posted on January 21, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Princeton chief

Princeton’s municipal engineer, Bob Kiser, at a recent neighborhood meeting (click to expand).

Princeton’s long-time municipal engineer, Robert Kiser, has announced he is to retire, and it’s likely to cause quite a shakeup at 400 Witherspoon. Kiser predates basically all of the Governing Body, and it is not much of an overstatement to say that he has literally built the town. Being municipal engineer is a massive, massive job. Kiser regularly flips between building sewers, overseeing complex demolitions and designing new road layouts. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of code and, importantly, is also an absolute gentleman. His calm and meticulous demeanor is a big asset for the many long public meetings he has endured while addressing local residents’ concerns about engineering projects. Many nights, he is finishing work at 11 p.m. or after midnight. And yet, it is possible that Kiser’s replacement could fill a big unmet need for the town. Continue reading →

Posted in Complete Streets, People, Princeton | Tagged | Leave a comment

Challenging Segregation In Princeton And Mercer County

Posted on January 19, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Trenton.

Opportunities for Mercer County residents vary greatly depending on where they live (click to expand).

At this time of year, it’s worthwhile to think of how we can maintain the legacy of Martin Luther King by challenging segregation in Princeton and our local area. Sadly, despite past work and progress, we still live in a very segregated society. According to one recent analysis, the Trenton metro area –  which includes Princeton and all of Mercer County – ranks #2 in terms of the most economically segregated areas in the entire United States. That is a terrible statistic, and it is no secret that traditionally disenfranchised communities like the African-American community fare the worst from unequal systems. Fortunately, recent research gives us a good indication as to what we can do to make things better. Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, planning, Zoning | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Home Prices In Princeton Jump 9% in 2015

Posted on January 15, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Homes for sale in Princeton command a big premium (click to expand)

Homes for sale in Princeton command a big premium (click to expand)

The selling price of residential properties in Princeton leapt by 9% in 2015, and the average sales price was over $1 million. Those are two of the findings from an analysis of 2015 real estate data by ‘Sig and Syl’ at Princeton’s Calloway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty.

Continue reading →

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Five Safe Predictions For Princeton In 2016…And Five Crazy Ones!

Posted on January 11, 2016 by walkableprinceton
Construction at the old hospital site was one of the most visible changes of 2015, but what does 2016 hold? (click to expand)

Construction at the old hospital site was one of the most visible changes of 2015, but what does 2016 hold? (click to expand)

New Year is the time when we traditionally try to guess what the coming 12 months will bring. For 2016, we’re going to make 5 guesses for things that will probably happen, and five guesses of things that might…but probably won’t. As usual, the focus is on planning, especially planning that brings people the freedom to live where they choose and get around how they choose. Leave a comment below if you think you can do better!

Prediction 1: New University Campus Plan Will Recommend A New Residential College. (likelihood: 8/10). Ever since his appointment, Princeton University President Continue reading →

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Holiday Quiz: Can You Name These Walkable NJ Downtowns?

Posted on December 24, 2015 by walkableprinceton
test

Where is this? (click to expand)

So you think you know Jersey? Hit pause on “It’s a Wonderful Life”! We’ve got something better – a big ol’ holiday quiz for you! The question is… how many of these walkable downtowns can you recognize? They’re all in Central NJ (or maybe Bucks County, PA). Forget your strip malls and your ‘what exit?’ gags, and enjoy these local walkable places…

Continue reading →

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