November 14, 2012

Determining that an ordinance to designate Princeton Borough’s Morven Tract neighborhood a historic district is in compliance with Princeton’s master plan, the Regional Planning Board Monday made passage of the controversial measure look increasingly likely. The ordinance now returns to Borough Council to be considered for a final public hearing and vote.

The proposal has been a source of contention among residents of the stately western section neighborhood for more than six years. Those in favor of the designation say it will protect the neighborhood’s architectural and historical significance. Those opposed contend it will place unnecessary restrictions on making certain alterations and repairs. A group of 51 properties, bounded by Bayard Lane, Hodge Road and Library Place, would be affected by the designation.

Some members of the Planning Board urged that acting on the proposal be delayed until after consolidation goes into effect, which is what the Historical Preservation Review Committee (HPRC) recommended earlier this year. The Borough and Township have different ordinances, and a new, merged entity will be created after January 1. “It’s only fair to property owners to know how restrictive it will be,” said Marvin Reed. “We don’t know what the details will be.”

Board member Gail Ullman said the Board should think about the measure as it benefits the whole town and the master plan, not just the neighborhood. “What we’re considering is a designation that will long outlast any of the residents,” she said. “How will such a designation play out over the years in the whole town? Will it keep that neighborhood beautiful? Will it inform future residents?”

Mr. Reed and Board member Julie Nachamkin were the only ones to vote against the ordinance’s consistency with the master plan. Ms. Nachamkin proposed advising Borough Council to delay acting on the measure until after January 1, but that suggestion was rejected by a 5-4 vote.

As has been the case at most every meeting on the subject, several residents of the neighborhood expressed their views on the designation. There will be more opportunity for public input when the matter comes before Borough Council, at a date that has yet to be announced.

The Board also recommended that the Borough survey neighborhood residents to determine the amount of support for the designation, since both sides of the issue continue to challenge each other’s figures on the question.


September 12, 2012

At its meeting on September 5, Princeton Borough’s Historic Preservation Review Committee (HPRC) voted to recommend to Borough Council that a portion of Princeton’s western section, known as the Morven Tract, be designated a historic district. But the committee also opted to advise Council to hold off on acting on the recommendation until after consolidation takes effect.

“It was a judicious compromise,” said committee member Cecelia Tazelaar in a conversation this week. “We voted in favor of the historic designation report, saying it met the criteria for designation as a local historic district. But, given the fact that consolidation is only a few months away, we thought it would be advisable for Council to delay acting on it, because the two commissions will be merged and the ordinances are being merged. We felt it would be unfair to the public to push through something without their knowledge of the new ordinance.”

Currently, the HPRC represents the interests of Princeton Borough, while the Historic Preservation Comission covers preservation issues in the Township. Once consolidation takes effect January 1, a combined commission will be formed with a new ordinance in place. The new ordinance, which is based on New Jersey municipal land use law, won’t be much different from the existing two, according to Ms. Tazelaar. “But it seems fair to let everybody see what the new ordinance is before continuing with a discussion,” she said.

The Friends of the Western District have been actively lobbying since 2006 to establish a new historic district in an area roughly bounded by portions of Library Place, Hodge Road, and Bayard Lane, while encompassing Morven Place and Boudinot Street. The proposed district directly abuts the Mercer Hill historic district, which is one of four in Princeton. The others are Jugtown, Bank Street, and the Central historic districts.

Those in favor of the designation say it will help maintain the area’s unique architectural character and prevent tear-downs. Those opposed say designation would create too many restrictions, which could in turn affect property values.

In 2009, the Friends group engaged Hunter Research to prepare a document entitled Morven Trust Historic District Historical and Architectural Documentation. The report says of the proposed district, “It is significant in American history and architecture and possesses integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Princeton’s past and embodies the distinctive characteristics of a period.”

At the September 5 meeting, the HPRC also recommended to Council that residents of the proposed district be polled on the divisive issue.


August 15, 2012

Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer joined the Monday afternoon meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for a workshop addressing the “what will happen?” questions that are probably being asked right now at any number of official (and non-official) Borough and Township meetings as consolidation draws near.

Borough Historic Preservation Officer Derek Bridger also attended the meeting, along with Borough Historic Preservation Review Committee (HPRC) member Cecilia Tazelaar.

While the existing preservation groups in both municipalities will cease to exist as of January 1, 2013, Mr. Schmierer said he expected that “some of the ‘old crew‘ will be part of the ‘new crew.’” He praised the work of the planning subcommittee that reviewed and combined the sometimes different charges of the current departments, noting that the most immediate goal is to “get the picture set” and “maintain momentum,” allowing the incoming commission to fine-tune the guidelines. Mr. Schmierer suggested that the process more or less consisted of “putting the two commissions together and regulating historic preservation,” and that there would be “no substantive changes” to the purview of the newly created commission.

After expressions of concern about “continuity,” it was agreed that members of the two “sunsetting” departments should meet at least once before year’s end, to discuss ongoing concerns and document them in meeting minutes for future use.

In the meantime, both the HPC and the HPRC’s guidelines will be temporarily adopted at the January 1 meeting at which new officers will be sworn in. The meeting may begin at midnight, Mr. Schmierer reported, drawing laughs by opening his arms wide and suggesting that with a “consent agenda this long,” the meeting might go on until 3 a.m.

Mr. Schmierer also described the “shadow government” of -prospective new officials, who are receiving “a lot of briefing” in anticipation of the transition. While they cannot take action yet, they are beginning “to plan everything that will be done.”