Beautiful Walkable Princeton: Playmobil Pop-Up Store, Palmer Square

Whoah! That sure is a big Playmobil person! (click to expand.)

Whoah! That sure is a big Playmobil person! (click to expand.)

This post is part of a series where we celebrate the many beautiful and characterful sights of Princeton, NJ. You can find previous entries in this series here and here or by searching our site for ‘beautiful walkable Princeton’.

Gigantic Playmobil personages recently appeared Continue reading

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NY Times Column Slams Exclusionary Zoning of NJ Towns

Since 1980, most developable land in Princeton has been zoned for large single family homes. Middle class families cannot afford homes such as this. (Click to expand, image of Etl

Most land in Princeton is zoned for large single family homes, which middle class families cannot afford. (Ettl Circle home for sale at Weichert realtors, listed at $1.3 million.)

Do you read the ‘New York Times’? If so, you might have noticed a recent column by Professor David Kirp titled ‘Here Comes The Neighborhood‘. Professor Kirp, who is an expert on how social policy impacts educational outcomes, criticizes suburban New Jersey towns for enacting zoning which has an exclusionary effect. As he puts it: Continue reading

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Princeton Tweaks Increasingly-Popular Daytime ‘FreeB’ Transit Service

Princeton's FreeB 'Community Shuttle' at Princeton Shopping Center.

Princeton’s FreeB ‘Community Shuttle’ at Princeton Shopping Center.

Back in June, we reported that Princeton’s FreeB shuttle was getting expanded service. The little free bus, which is intended to help Princeton residents get around town by transit, had suffered from low ridership in the past, and we hoped that the service would become more popular. As of today, the daytime service is Continue reading

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Walkability Answers From Council Candidate Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz

Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz, candidate for Princeton Council Election on Nov 5. (click to expand.)

Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz, candidate for Princeton Council Election on Nov 5. (click to expand.)

On November 5, Princeton will elect two new members of Princeton Council. Three candidates are standing: incumbents Jenny Crumiller (D) and Patrick Simon (D), and challenger Fausta Rodgriguez-Wertz (R). We asked each candidate six questions relating to walkability, affordability and land use in Princeton. (Note: Walkable Princeton is not making an official endorsement of any particular candidate.) We are running each candidate’s answers on successive days of this week. You can read answers from Jenny Crumiller here. You can read answers from Patrick Simon here. Today we will have answers from Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz (see below). We thank all the candidates for taking the time to respond to us!

Continue reading

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Walkability Answers From Council Candidate Patrick Simon

Patrick Simonr, candidate for Princeton Council in the upcoming election on November 5. (click to expand.)

Patrick Simon, candidate for Princeton Council in the upcoming election on November 5. (click to expand.)

On November 5, Princeton will elect two new members of Princeton Council. Three candidates are standing: incumbents Jenny Crumiller (D) and Patrick Simon (D), and challenger Fausta Rodgriguez-Wertz (R). We asked each candidate six questions relating to walkability, affordability and land use in Princeton. (Note: Walkable Princeton is not making an official endorsement of any particular candidate.) We are running each candidate’s answers on successive days of this week. You can read answers from Jenny Crumiller here. Today we have answers from Patrick Simon (see below). On Friday we will have answers from Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to respond to us! Continue reading

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Walkability Answers From Council Candidate Jenny Crumiller

Jenny Crumiller, candidate for Princeton Council in the upcoming election on November 5. (click to expand.)

Jenny Crumiller, candidate for Princeton Council in the upcoming election on November 5. (click to expand.)

On November 5, Princeton will elect two new members of Princeton Council. Three candidates are standing: incumbents Jenny Crumiller (D) and Patrick Simon (D), and challenger Fausta Rodgriguez-Wertz (R). We asked each candidate six questions relating to walkability, affordability and land use in Princeton. (Note: Walkable Princeton is not making an official endorsement of any particular candidate.) We are running each candidate’s answers on successive days of this week. Today, we have answers from Jenny Crumiller (see below). On Thursday, we will publish answers from Patrick Simon. On Friday we will have answers from Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz. We thank all the candidates for taking the time to respond to us! Continue reading

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Princeton Bike Ride With Mayor Lempert And PBAC A Huge Success!

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Mayor Lempert welcomes participants at the start of the first annual “Mayor’s Fall Bike Ride” at Community Park South, Princeton October 27, 2013. (click to expand.)

Last Sunday, a group of around 40 cyclists gathered at Community Park South for an extraordinarily pleasant cycle trip through the parks and green spaces of Princeton. The ride was the idea of Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, and co-organized with the help of the  Pedestrian and Bicycling Advisory Committee and Princeton Police.

Continue reading

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Students Found New Political Party For Land Use Reform

Students Start New Political Party For Mixed-Use Development

Students in Ann Arbor have started a new political party, based largely on land use reform. (Click to expand.)

What are the issues that motivate students in 2013? Based on what’s happening in Ann Arbor, MI (home of  the University of Michigan, a famous ‘public ivy’) it’s…zoning reform! Continue reading

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Join In For ‘The Mayor’s Bike Ride’! This Sunday, 1 p.m., Community Park South!

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert (center, holding cell phone) consults with local transportation officials  while checking out a new cycle route in Princeton earlier this year. (Click to expand.)

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert (center, holding cell phone) consults with local transportation officials while checking out a new cycle route in Princeton earlier this year. (Click to expand.)

This Sunday, October 27, there is going to be a group cycle ride around Princeton! The ride, organized by Princeton Joint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee is intended to be a fun opportunity for residents who enjoy two-wheeled transportation to get together and enjoy riding through some beautiful parts of Princeton while admiring the fall leaves! Continue reading

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Princeton Zoning Board Nixes Mixed-Use 255 Nassau Street Plan

Princeton Zoning Board members Louisa Clayton, Richard Kahn, Penelope Baskerville and Sara Segal, with municipal officials at front, at the meeting on Wednesday night when they rejected the 255 Nassau Plan. (click to expand.)

Princeton Zoning Board members Louisa Clayton, Richard Kahn, Penelope Baskerville and Sara Segal, with municipal officials at front, at the meeting on Wednesday night where they rejected the 255 Nassau Plan. (click to expand.)

If you were thinking about renting one of the 15 proposed apartments envisioned as part of a plan to redevelop the Crossfit gym at 255 Nassau Street, it’s time to start making other plans. On Wednesday night, the Princeton Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously voted to deny the use variance required for the plan to move forward. Continue reading

Posted in Affordability, Complete Streets, Density, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Traffic, Walking, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments