Plan to build seven homes on woodlands not welcomed

Neighbors of proposed project at Snowden Lane and Van Dyke Road in Princeton Township form citizens’ group.

By: Emily Craighead
   Developer Joel Schwartz’s proposal to build seven single-family homes on a proposed new cul-de-sac off Snowden Lane and Van Dyke Road in Princeton Township is not being welcomed by a group of residents who have formed the Herrontown Woods Citizens’ Association.
   The Princeton Regional Planning Board heard testimony Thursday from Mr. Schwartz and feedback from Township Engineer Robert Kiser about details of the application.
   "The goal is to create a neighborhood of seven homes that fits in with the surrounding area," Mr. Schwartz said. "The goal from the get-go is to come up with something that would be noncontroversial, because it complies with all the township regulations."
   Still, when Ms. Schwartz acknowledged that neighbors might like nothing better than for the wooded area to remain as it is, some in the audience nodded vigorously.
   The Herrontown Woods Citizens’ Association, represented by attorney R. William Potter, is objecting to the application, because it claims the application is incomplete.
   "It struck me the application is still a work in progress," Mr. Potter said. "I was pleased they (the Planning Board members) were showing a great deal of interest."
   However, Mr. Kiser said it is not unusual for applications to evolve in response to township officials’ suggestions.
   "The applicant many times will respond to comments as they are making their application presentation," Mr. Kiser said.
   Some information regarding the type of detention basin accompanying the development, for example, was not submitted as part of the original application, but was received in time for township staff to review before the Planning Board meeting.
   "That information did come in and was found to be satisfactory," Mr. Kiser said.
   The developer still has to submit permits with the state Department of Environmental Protection, because the property is adjacent to wetlands.
   "I’m assuming that information will be forthcoming," Mr. Kiser said.
   In addition to alleging the developer’s application for the Van Dyke Road and Snowden Lane subdivision is incomplete, in a statement Mr. Potter had prepared to read before the Planning Board, he asked the board to consider if any type of development is appropriate for the site.
   "Given the ecology of this site, its interconnection with the Herrontown Woods, and given the many risks if the site is developed, should the Planning Board take the next steps toward down-zoning of the site to provide a greater measure of protection?" Mr. Potter wrote.
   Planning Board members raised concerns about the number of trees being cleared to make way for the houses, as well as the traffic flow off of the new cul-de-sac and the installation of a new sewage-pumping station.
   According to the developer, all of these issues are being addressed.
   "As someone who lives in town, I hope I would be able to do at least as good a job as an outsider and respond to the concerns of the neighbors," Mr. Schwartz said.
   He also said it is important to him to preserve trees on the property.
   "The value to people who want to live here is to live in a wooded area," he said.
   The applicant’s testimony lasted until about 10:45 p.m., at which time the board decided to continue the hearing at its July 14 meeting. Public comment on the application was also put off until the July meeting.
   "This hiatus we have here will be a very important period of settling," Mr. Potter said.