By Anne Levin
An ordinance that would modify and clarify the list of allowable uses in different districts of Princeton was approved on Monday, May 11 by Princeton Council at its meeting in Witherspoon Hall.
At a public hearing on the ordinance, which was introduced last month, Municipal Planner Justin Lesko told the governing body that the changes proposed “are probably more modest than some would like,” but the administrative staff is holding off on major changes until the full process of harmonizing the former Borough and Township is completed in the next two years. While consolidation of the two took place in 2013, the Municipality still operates under two separate zoning codes.
The changes proposed in the ordinance were initially suggested by a planning consultant hired by Experience Princeton, and were reviewed by staff and the Code Review Committee of Council. No zones are being created or removed, and there are no rezonings, according to a May 4 memo to the Planning Board from Lesko and Assistant Planning Director Nathan Foote. The Planning Board reviewed the proposed ordinance at its last meeting and found it to be consistent with the Master Plan, Lesko told the Council.
Proposed changes include adding to the list of permitted uses things such as crafting — home décor, jewelry, flowers, artwork — in certain zones near Nassau Street, with certain limitations. The ordinance clarifies that certain uses including spas, fitness instruction, and tutoring, are in the list of permitted uses. It allows for medical and dental offices, with some limitations in certain zones. It allows museums and similar cultural uses in the Central Business District.
It adds offices for research and or development in science and technology, with some limitations. The full list is available in the agenda packet from the meeting at princetonnj.gov.
The recommendations represent the first of a three-phase project on harmonizing the codes. The next phase will include stakeholder interviews, public meetings, and open house events. The final phase includes public hearings on the draft zoning code before a new code manual is adopted.
Following Lesko’s introduction, Councilman Leighton Newlin said he was concerned that there is little discussion about things like parking demands and ridesharing. “I’m still in favor,” he said. “But I think Princeton itself needs to really make a decision on what type of downtown we want. Is it civic-oriented? Is it for the people of Princeton? Is it going to be for the elite and people that have much money to spend when they come here?”
Experience Princeton board member Bill Hare, who chairs the organization’s economic development team, encouraged Newlin to join a meeting. The team has worked for the past two years to find out what has kept businesses from opening in Princeton, consulting with residents, business owners, and real estate professionals, he said. What they have heard is that businesses need clarity on permissible uses before deciding to open in Princeton instead of elsewhere.
Robin Lapidus, executive director of Experience Princeton, joined Hare in support of the ordinance. “We really support a healthy mix, where everyone finds what they’re looking for and feels welcome,” she said. “I think we have a great start here. We have a lot of work to do. I like the perspective of letting this settle over two years and having more conversations, to find out what assets each one of our business districts has, and how to create a healthy mix and a dialogue between different areas.”
In other actions, Council voted in favor of resolutions including the donation of cleaning services for the Princeton Wars Memorial from the Garden Club of Princeton, the adoption of the Municipal Emergency Management Basic Plan, and an increase of $16,000 for the professional services agreement with Preservation Design Partnership for continuing services on design guidelines for historic districts.
The next meeting of Council is on May 26 at 7 p.m.