To the Editor:
In her letter to the editor of October 15, Michelle Pirone Lambros claims that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes that Princeton is receiving for what is often now called the Stockton Street development will “deliver benefits such as underground parking to reduce surface lots and expand green space.”
This claim cuts right to heart of some of the many problems that remain unanswered by her letter, three of which will be addressed here.
In a letter of June 8, 2022, I pointed to problems that previous construction had caused and could cause by disturbing underground streams in the area, among them one impacting water supply. I stated that I had experienced a lack of transparency in receiving a response from authorities whether any environmental impact survey had been done and wrote that one was needed before going forward. Decisions have however been made since then: can assurance now be given that construction of underground foundations for parking and extensive housing will not cause similar or worse problems?
A related environmental issue involves green space. I do not understand how the elimination of open green space and a playground (along with a gymnasium building) in and around which children used to play can be called an increase and not a loss of space.
Finally, others have already noted in these pages that a large increase in the number of automobiles will cause huge traffic problems on Stockton Street. The prospect for Mercer Street, the other path for the western gateway to Princeton, is equally dire. It is already hardly possible to cross Mercer any time close to rush hours. Can assurances be given that a study exists about the impact of traffic not just on this neighborhood but consequently on the municipality as a whole?
Councilmember Pirone Lambros concludes her letter to the editor with the statement that “change is inevitable” and “the question is whether we resist or guide it to preserve the true spirit of Princeton.” What has not changed is lack of transparency and intransigent unwillingness to consider options in open discussion with citizens. Is this what is meant by guidance in the true spirit of Princeton?