Palmer Square may be close to an agreement with council on townhouse project
By: Jennifer Potash
A mere six months ago, Princeton Borough and Palmer Square seemed headed to court over an ongoing dispute regarding affordable housing. Now the two sides may be close to signing an agreement.
In delineating his goals for 2003, Mayor Marvin Reed said he expected a resolution that would allow Palmer Square to get a building permit to begin construction of 97 luxury townhouses on its Hulfish North tract bounded by Witherspoon, Hulfish and Chambers streets and Paul Robeson Place.
"I am hopeful within the first couple of months we will settle the Palmer Square dispute," Mayor Reed said. He declined to discuss specifics but noted that progress had been made.
Palmer Square and Princeton Borough are deadlocked over the developer’s contribution to the borough’s affordable-housing programs. The municipality denied the developer a foundation permit in May in part due to the conflict.
The borough contends Palmer Square must make an affordable-housing contribution based on a 1986 zoning ordinance. Palmer Square counters that the Hulfish North Project is exempt from the affordable-housing obligation because the development originally was approved in 1983, three years prior to adoption of the zoning ordinance. A revised Hulfish North plan was granted approval in 1990.
Council President Mildred Trotman said that while residents may be used to council members saying every year a deal is likely, like the mayor, she believes the matter will be settled in 2003.
"Uppermost on my list for 2003 is Palmer Square," she said.
Representatives from Palmer Square could not be reached for comment.
Two projects in West Windsor will be followed with great interest by the borough in the coming year, Mayor Reed said.
First, a final alignment for the project known as the Millstone Bypass, at Route 1 and Washington Road, should be released by April, the mayor said.
"My feeling is Route 1 will be taken under Washington Road," Mayor Reed said.
Second, the mayor will keep a watchful eye on proposals for the Wyeth-Rouse property in West Windsor, plans for which are likely to include an upscale shopping center.
Given the current congestion on Route 1, mass transit such as a light rail or bus rapid transit system may be necessary to prevent complete gridlock, Mayor Reed said.
While the downtown development, including a parking garage, plaza, apartments and food market, is under way, the Borough Council will stay on top of the project to ensure a December 2003 opening for the parking structure, Mrs. Trotman said.
Councilman David Goldfarb said he would like to revisit the issue of creating a Special Improvement District, or SID, for the downtown. A SID would allow a tax on the downtown businesses to generate funds for marketing, beautifying and redeveloping the area, "so the merchants can advertise and bring all the people back downtown," Mr. Goldfarb said.
He also wants the council to develop a plan to deal with downtown employee parking. Since the major decisions involving the garage project are done, the council members also can work on other items on the legislative to-do list, he said.
Councilwoman Peggy Karcher, who serves as liaison to the Princeton Regional Health Commission, said the commission will go before the council early next year to urge the borough’s participation in an automatic telephone call system that can notify residents of vital information during an emergency.
When Princeton Township contracted for an automated service two years ago, the borough opted not to, citing the cost, Ms. Karcher said.
"There are new prices that make it more attractive to us," she said.