Former Hovnanian development tract near Hilltop Park considered environmentally sensitive
By: Courtney Gross
In response to the withdrawal of an approved senior housing development planned for the Princeton Ridge, the Princeton Environmental Commission is planning to investigate the possibility of preserving the 21-acre site adjacent to Hilltop Park.
Defined as a "fact-finding" mission by Vice Chairwoman Wendy Kaczerski, the commission will approach township officials in the coming weeks to determine if the site on Bunn Drive, defined as an environmentally sensitive area, can be preserved.
The commission’s decision to investigate opportunities is a result of developer K. Hovnanian Homes’ decision to drop the project, the vice chairwoman added, and was a decision made at its meeting Wednesday evening.
"Our concern has nothing to do with the type of development slated to be there, but to protect the Ridge," Ms. Kaczerski said.
Earlier this month, Hovnanian notified township officials it would not pursue approved plans to build 140 age-restricted units on Bunn Drive. Company representatives said the Princeton plans, part of a string of condominium complexes throughout the nation known as the "Four Seasons," were abandoned because of the slowing real estate market.
Still, the proposed development was on one of two senior housing zone overlays in the township that were designated in 2001. To keep the land undeveloped, the commission would have to convince the Township Committee to withdraw that designation.
Also at its meeting Wednesday, the commission heard presentations from Mercer County Horticulturist Barbara Bromley and New Jersey Environmental Federation Pesticide Program Coordinator Jane Nogaki on sustainable lawns and pesticides.
Ms. Nogaki asked the commission to update its integrated pest management policies set by Princeton Township, Princeton Borough and the Princeton Regional Board of Education and also to strengthen regulations on pesticides in parks and playing fields.
Ms. Kaczerski said the commission would look into updating Princeton’s policies as well as other possibilities to keep pesticides off public lands.

