Borough endorsement follows township approval.
By: Jennifer Potash
The Princeton Borough Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday permitting expansion of Elm Court, the affordable-housing development for senior citizens and the disabled.
Nevertheless, the issue sparked a small debate.
The ordinance makes the existing 88-unit Elm Court development straddling the borough’s border with Princeton Township and a proposed 68-unit expansion a permitted use. The Princeton Township Committee adopted a similar ordinance Feb. 10.
The ordinance is a requirement stemming from a lawsuit filed by the Mountain Brook Association, a group of nearby homeowners, against the borough, township, Princeton Community Housing (PCH) and the Planning Board.
The development is targeted for 14 acres of land along Elm Road in Princeton Township that is owned by Princeton Borough.
Carla Wraggi of Elm Road, who said she supports more senior housing in Princeton, said at the meeting Princeton Community Housing won the support of adjacent residents with incorrect statements that the housing would be for Princeton Borough and Princeton Township senior citizens only.
PCH officials have said federal rules prevent it from giving a preference in the new units to Princeton residents or individuals with an employment or family connection to the municipalities.
But Harriet Bryan, a longtime senior housing advocate and PCH trustee, said the existing Elm Court units still would offer the preference and, based on past experience, applicants with a connection to the borough and township likely will comprise the majority of new residents.
The discussion prompted a minor spat between Councilman Roger Martindell and Councilman David Goldfarb and Mayor Marvin Reed over the direction of the borough’s affordable-housing options for senior citizens.
The borough has met its court-mandated affordable-housing obligations and continues to spend money on building new housing that brings in outside people at the expense of borough taxpayers, said Mr. Martindell.
Mr. Goldfarb and Mayor Reed criticized Mr. Martindell for exaggerating the situation, maintaining the borough spends a considerable sum on housing renovations and tax assistance for local residents.

