To the Editor:
I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of the proposed 243-unit apartment complex on the vacant Stockton Street site. When we relocated to Princeton several years ago, the appearance and character of this special community remained largely unchanged compared to the 1960s when I spent the summer here with my family. However, we were struck by the significant increase in traffic through town, primarily due to the rapid growth in the surrounding townships and the Route 1 corridor.
I fear that town planners here are repeating the mistake made in my previous home in North Carolina, where overdevelopment damaged several historic neighborhoods. The sheer scale of the proposed complex is excessive and would cause irreparable damage to this delicate and historic site. Our two-lane roads are already congested, leading to more frequent accidents, and the town’s infrastructure cannot handle much more traffic.
I urge town planners to consider the concerns of their constituents and deliberate cautiously. While growth can be beneficial, once a beautiful and special area is compromised, there is no turning back.