Parking concerns delay Hulfish North

Borough engineer seeks parking plan that Palmer Square officials say is not necessary

By: Marjorie Censer
   Progress on Hulfish North, the planned luxury townhouse development originally approved 15 years ago at the foot of Palmer Square, has once again ground to a halt — and it’s unclear when the project’s application will receive final approval.
   The project application is yet to be deemed complete by Princeton Borough Engineer Carl Peters, who said the largest issue standing between Palmer Square and a complete application is the need for a parking plan.
   The expected 100 housing units — designed by West-Windsor based Hillier Architecture and Minno and Wasko Architects and Planners of Lambertville — would be located along Paul Robeson Place between Witherspoon and Chambers streets, many built above the existing one-story garage.
   Mr. Peters said he is unable to comment on whether the parking provided by Palmer Square can adequately meet the area’s need without a plan or report from a consultant. Of the roughly 1,000 parking spaces available in Palmer Square’s three garages, Mr. Peters said he expects some will be shared, while others will be entirely controlled by townhouse owners who choose to pay extra. He said a parking plan would explain how spaces would be shared and indicate how the townhouses will be controlled to assure that there is enough parking for everyone.
   "It’s essential we know how the garages will be used," Mr. Peters said. Without knowing how the parking will be used, he said, "You’d have to say it’s inadequate."
   Palmer Square Management Vice President David Newton said that Palmer Square has been told in the past that it has sufficient parking — in fact, the approval of the renovation and expansion of The Arts Council of Princeton, at Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place, depended on using Palmer Square parking.
   He said the continued discussion of parking is unneeded.
   "Why these extra levels of scrutiny are required is really beyond us," Mr. Newton said. "It’s just one level after another of scrutiny that — in a logical thought process — isn’t required."
   He added that he doesn’t want to point fingers.
   "It’s not the fault of any individual — it’s just the process is very flawed," he said. "I think it’s a known fact that many people want to see this project up and complete."
   The rest of the application is in fairly good shape, Mr. Peters said, although he said the application still requires a variance for parking. In addition, he’d like to see more information about how transformers originally planned to be underground and now slated to be above ground will be covered to be more aesthetically pleasing.
   Mr. Peters said he will continue to wait for information about the parking.
   "We’ve been at this stage for almost two months," he said. "These completeness items are not new issues on the part of the borough."
   Once the application is complete, the plans will go to the Regional Planning Board of Princeton.
   In January, the Planning Board responded positively to the concept plan for the project, which included changes made as a result of an agreement signed by developer Palmer Properties Corp. and Princeton Borough in 2004.
   The settlement increased the total number of units from 97 to 100, committed Palmer Properties to complete the project within five years, and set an affordable-housing obligation of 10 low- and moderate-income units.