To the Editor:
I live in the Littlebrook section of Princeton a few blocks from the Princeton Shopping Center, which has become a locus of development in our community. Shopping center land and significant acreage bordering Terhune Street have been developed or are in the planning stages such that by the end of 2028, about 800 new housing units will have been added to a small section of town encompassing about 60 acres. Certainly there are many reasons for this cluster of development, but a significant factor has no doubt been the urgency with which the Township has been compelled to comply with the Fair Housing Law.
Across town, years of litigation has stymied the Princeton Theological Seminary development of 200-plus units, 20 percent of which are to be affordable housing units. I’ve seen the plans as published in local papers and news feeds and the design appears to me to be quite tasteful. The plans look a lot like many of the Princeton University dorms. Many of us in the Littlebrook section of town feel that whatever development occurs on that parcel needs to be done with the understanding that development there should blend in with the historical nature of that part of town. The design seems to have accomplished that.
On the other hand, those of us not living in the immediate vicinity of the Seminary site feel increasing frustration with those parties that are continuing to oppose the project. It is costing the Municipality money to defend its positions. This means that it is costing every Princeton taxpayer money. The opposition lost in court in October of last year when its case was dismissed with prejudice. Continued litigation means more costs. Moreover, development in our town needs to be dispersed so that all share in the advantages and burdens that increasing density can bring.