Group gets to work on NPDC site plans

Possible uses for 250-acre Montgomery property discussed.

By: Kara Fitzpatrick
   MONTGOMERY — The North Princeton Developmental Center Concept Planning Team has gotten to work — tossing around a breadth of ideas and identifying possible uses for the 250-acre property that the township is slated to purchase from the state for $5.95 million.
   At a meeting Thursday, the group outlined possible uses for the tract, emphasizing a need for a mixed-use environment. Commercial, outdoor, cultural, recreational and senior housing were all named.
   The team, comprising about 30 community members, "was formed with an eye toward diversity of experience, professions, expertise and perspectives," Mayor Louise Wilson said. "There is a lot of creativity here, a lot of common sense, and a lot of professionalism and civic pride. It’s a great group."
   Included on the team are former Township Committee members, present Planning Board and school board members and members of the Citizens’ Committee for NPDC, among others.
   On Thursday, the team identified a handful of buildings — including the Maplewood House, the powerhouse and the theater — to be preserved. They stressed that the identification of those buildings does not imply that additional structures would not also be candidates for rehabilitation.
   In addition, the group indicated that it is likely the existing road network and trees will remain.
   Use of the area surrounding the Village Elementary School, located in the heart of the property, also was up for consideration.
   "Those kids really deserve our first and best thinking," said team member Frances Chaves, executive director of the Montgomery Center for the Arts.
   Others concurred, suggesting a commercial-free zone immediately surrounding the school might be appropriate.
   "Certainly, it shouldn’t be commercial development right there as they walk out (of school)," said Valerie Smith, a team member and spokeswoman for the Citizens’ Committee for NPDC.
   Other ideas — such as creating a "downtown green" or a place to host community events — were raised. But money proved to be an obstacle.
   "We’ve talked about uses — and don’t get me wrong — that are very community-based," said Peter Treichler, former township committeeman and mayor. "None of the uses proposed bring in dollar one."
   Several members indicated that when referring to commercial uses, that doesn’t necessarily imply the vision of a "big box" major destination — rather a quaint, pedestrian-friendly node.
   "The uses don’t have to all bring in money, but they can bring people," said Imad Abu-Sabe, vice president of HACBM, a firm of architects, engineers and planners that is moderating the planning sessions.
   Planning Board Chair Steven Sacks-Wilner, also a planning-team member, said he envisions a first-floor shopping village complemented by living spaces above — to give the area life past 5 p.m.
   Ms. Smith urged that the group, when considering the tract, "not think in extremes."
   Things to be kept in mind, Mr. Abu-Sabe said, are the historic nature of the property and its buildings, the "mature" landscape, and the tract’s context in the community. In addition, when planning, the group should be mindful of the roadways serving the property.
   Members will get closer to the details next meeting, as traffic consultant John Rae is slated to analyze restrictions related to traffic.
   Mr. Abu-Sabe said before the next meeting that HACBM professionals will "formulate two or three concept plans based on what we heard today," and more detail will be discussed after Mr. Rae’s analysis.
   When the planning sessions are complete, the group will present the Township Committee with a concept plan, Mr. Abu-Sabe said. He said that presentation is likely to take place sometime in June.