Council introduces ordinance by narrow 3-2 vote after heated discussion
By: Marjorie Censer
The Princeton Borough Council narrowly voted to introduce an ordinance Wednesday that would allow increased density in Princeton University’s engineering quadrangle.
The ordinance, which passed 3-2, became a more general and heated focus for discussion about the university’s financial contribution to the borough.
Councilmen David Goldfarb and Roger Martindell voted against introducing the ordinance, which now must go before the Regional Planning Board of Princeton before returning to the council, arguing that the impact of the increased density will cost the borough significantly in police and fire service, as well as road construction and garbage pick-up.
The introduced ordinance the result of months of discussion among Murray Place neighbors, university representatives and borough and Planning Board staff grants an additional 100,000 square feet of space to the university in its engineering quadrangle while maintaining the 250-foot setback line from the rear of Murray Place residences. It represents a compromise between the university and the Murray Place neighbors.
The ordinance retains Von Neumann Hall the building closest to the rear of the Murray Place residences at the request of residents and requires a comprehensive landscaping plan. It also includes detailed requirements for a shuttle system, obligating the university to provide frequent service and to avoid primarily residential streets for routes.
Mr. Martindell, who addressed the council from the floor as a taxpayer rather than a councilman, he said termed the ordinance itself as reasonable, but said it should be approached more broadly.
"There is a burden that this ordinance will create," he said. "There has been no discussion tonight about what the proposed impacts are on the community financially or otherwise."
He urged the council to use the university’s request for increased density as leverage in a discussion about the university’s financial contribution to the borough.
"Here’s an opportunity to reach an agreement between the university and the community as a whole," Mr. Martindell said. "We are blowing that."
Mr. Goldfarb supported Mr. Martindell, also voting against the ordinance. He accepted that the other council members did not agree, but warned them that it might be one of the best opportunities for discussion with the university.
"Don’t complain when we don’t make progress with the university on negotiations," Mr. Goldfarb told the council.
Council members Wendy Benchley, Peggy Karcher and Andrew Koontz voted in favor of the ordinance’s introduction. Mr. Koontz said the vote should be about the ordinance, not about the university’s financial contribution.
"I think the council should make a decision on this ordinance based on the merits of this ordinance," he said, though he pointed out that the council would like to see the university work as quickly on financial negotiations with the borough as it did on improving the ordinance.
The introduced ordinance includes amendments made by the council that extend some of the protections offered to Murray Place such as a landscape plan and buildings designed to minimize the disruption to surrounding areas to the other neighborhoods bordering the E-quad.
Robert Durkee, vice president and secretary of the university, told the council that the university takes seriously its financial obligation to the borough, noting that the university gave $300,000 more this year than last and will again increase its donation by $60,000 next year.
Additionally, Mr. Durkee said, the university wants to continue to discuss its contribution.
"We understand the importance of continuing these conversations," he said.

