Princeton Future releases initial recommendations.
By: Jennifer Potash
More residential housing but not overcrowded rentals is a key goal for Witherspoon Street.
And a Maginot Line of sorts is needed at the intersection of Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place to prevent the intrusion of the downtown into the John-Witherspoon neighborhood.
These were two initial conclusions from Princeton Future’s study of Witherspoon Street, revealed at a meeting Saturday.
"We need to stop the attacks on the low-rent areas of this site," said Michael Mostoller, one of the leaders of the study.
Princeton Future, the nonprofit organization that promotes a holistic approach to planning, is conducting a six-month study of how Witherspoon Street might be improved and preserved, and some parcels of land might be redeveloped.
On Saturday, the group presented initial findings, gleaned from comments and discussion with residents during three open meetings held in December.
Many of the suggestions were depicted on a series of maps posted on the wall of the Princeton Public Library’s Community Room. The maps dealt with the street’s existing conditions, landscape and open space, transportation, utilities, land use and zoning, character and history.
Important recommendations in the report include encouraging a more residential character on Witherspoon Street such as reverting converted houses that now host commercial use back to residential properties. Greater communication and a combined effort of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township are necessary for a more coherent approach to zoning on the street, Princeton Future members said.
Participants at previous meetings expressed a strong desire for Witherspoon Street, including the sections near Princeton Township Hall and the University Medical Center at Princeton, to have a more residential focus. Houses that have been converted to commercial use should revert back to residences and the hospital site should be converted for a variety of housing needs such as serving the needs of senior citizens and low- and moderate-income people, participants have said.
Princeton Future endorsed these views and suggested rezoning business-only portions of the street to have a mixed zoning for residential and businesses.
If the Princeton HealthCare System does seek to sell its current property on Witherspoon Street and relocate the hospital, that land could be rezoned for a number of uses including residential housing for different levels of income as well as senior housing or a continuing-care facility, said Mr. Mostoller. The kind of commercial uses that could be encouraged by revised zoning would service the neighborhood, according to Princeton Future.
A focus on residential character might also include stronger municipal ordinances to discourage absentee landlords and overcrowded rental housing, said Yina Moore, one of the leaders of the Witherspoon Street study.
The preliminary report also suggests traffic improvements, such as a dedicated bike lane and changing the traffic patterns on the street, but does not offer any specifies yet.
"We are still working out the details," Ms. Moore said.
The group also recommended that utility wires, which cause the street trees to grow in an odd U-shape, be put underground when the borough reconstructs its portion of Witherpsoon Street. Princeton Future offered no suggestions on the estimated cost.
The next Princeton Future meeting on Witherspoon Street will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the library.