An effort to control construction of "McMansions"
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
The Princeton Borough Council will consider an ordinance tonight that limits the size of residential buildings based on a floor-to-area ratio or how much of the lot is covered by the house but backs off creating a total square-footage cap, which was previously considered.
The Regional Planning Board of Princeton endorsed the ordinance at its meeting Thursday but recommended an amendment with regard to side-yard setback ratios.
The ordinance, which the council unanimously introduced last month, proposes that one-family homes in the R1 district, the district with the largest lots, be limited to a 25-percent floor-to-area ratio; those in the R2 limited to a 30-percent floor-to-area ratio; and one-family dwellings in the R3 and R4 districts allowed a 40-percent floor-to-area ratio.
Two-family, attached and multiple dwellings in the R3 and R4 districts would be allowed a 45-percent floor-to-area ratio.
In addition, the ordinance includes regulations that would require taller homes to be set back farther from neighboring properties. A proportionality clause in the ordinance would provide for homeowners with undersized lots, allowing for an adjusted and slightly larger floor-to-area ratio.
The council will also consider approval of an ordinance that would make the issuing of taxi licenses and transfers a responsibility of the borough clerk instead of the mayor and council. According to the ordinance, the measure is being considered because the mayor and council have determined the duty is an administrative rather than a policy responsibility.
In addition, the council will vote on an ordinance that would increase the maximum salary for the borough engineer and borough administrator by $1,500 each. If the ordinance is approved, the maximum annual salary of the borough engineer will be $131,500 and the maximum annual salary of the borough administrator will be $136,500.
The council will also receive a report from Princeton University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee regarding future development of the campus.
The meeting begins at 7:30 at Borough Hall.

