Trinity Church objects to proposed new road
By: Courtney Gross
Joining other Princeton boards and commissions, the Princeton Borough Council is reviewing a state Department of Transportation-sponsored study intended to calm traffic and increase pedestrian safety on Route 206.
The Route 206 Joint Vision Plan and Traffic Calming Study, conducted by Philadelphia-based Urban Engineers with consulting firm Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart of Orlando, Fla., has been discussed by the Regional Planning Board of Princeton, various subcommittees and in public sessions and now the borough council.
When the Planning Board endorsed the concepts of the study in October, members asked that both governing bodies follow suit. Members of the Planning Board said township and borough endorsement would pave the way for some portion of the funding for the project, estimated at $8 million.
At its meeting Wednesday evening, some council members saw the study’s proposal for the area within the borough for the first time. Princeton Planning Director Lee Solow said the council should review the plan, concentrating on its concepts, then return with a possible endorsement.
The study, which analyzes the Route 206 corridor from University Place to Cherry Valley Road in Princeton Township, proposes a series of roundabouts as well as pedestrian refuge islands to encourage safety and slow vehicle speeds.
Although the vision plan seems to have received positive feedback from borough and township officials, some borough residents have not been so favorable.
Addressing some concerns on the plans finer points, Mayor Mildred Trotman said, "It is just that a vision."
In the borough, the plan proposes the construction of two roundabouts one at the intersection of University Place and Nassau Street and another at Route 206 and Nassau Street. The study also suggests the creation of a new street behind the war memorial for southbound traffic onto Mercer Street. It also suggests a new street connecting Route 206 and Mercer Street through the Trinity Church parking lot.
Residents at Wednesday’s council meeting, including The Rev. Frank Strasburger, priest-in-charge of Trinity, opposed the construction of the new street through Trinity. The Rev. Strasburger said the proposed street would disturb an interment garden and destroy parts of Trinity’s sacred property.
"You have a large constituency in Princeton you are sending a message to," the Rev. Strasburger said of the council’s possible endorsement. "Also send a message to Trinity Church that you won’t be building a road through (the) church."
While highlighting the benefits and negatives of the plan, Kristin Appelget, Princeton University’s director of community and regional affairs, said the university agrees with some of the study’s concepts, including pedestrian-friendly streets and intersections. But, she added, there is concern regarding the proposal’s impact on some of the university’s historic properties.
Accentuating the benefits of the plan, Councilwoman Wendy Benchley called the study a "breakthrough" with the state DOT because the department has recognized Route 206 should not be expanded into a four-lane superhighway.
"If we approve this study," Ms. Benchley said, "that doesn’t mean we approve these two roundabouts."
Because the issue is not pressing, Mr. Solow said, the council should take its time to review the plan and reconsider an endorsement of its concepts later in the year.
Also on Wednesday, the council approved an ordinance safeguarding the borough against losing affordable housing designations when properties foreclose. The ordinance is part of new regulations by the state Council on Affordable Housing. The vote was unanimous, except for Councilman Roger Martindell who was absent.

