Neighbors express concerns about traffic and noise
By: Courtney Gross
Setting the stage for future redevelopment, the Princeton Township Committee approved a zoning ordinance Monday that creates a retail and office area where the University Medical Center at Princeton currently stands.
Stretching across approximately 3½ acres, the medical center site within the township, which includes the 743-space parking garage on Henry Avenue, could consist of primarily retail, office and medical uses if the hospital’s proposed move to Plainsboro occurs as planned in 2010.
The ordinance was approved by a 4-0 vote, with Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller absent. The committee acknowledged that further amendments addressing concerns raised by the public would be considered next year.
During the discussion Monday evening the third time the zoning ordinance was before the committee in as many months residents neighboring the medical center’s properties asked the committee to address the possibility of increased traffic and noise if the hospital site were redeveloped.
"Any corrections and fine-tuning we can do next year," Mayor Phyllis Marchand said of residents’ concerns. And, she added, "any other issues (would) come up when a developer actually comes in."
Those other issues, township officials said, could also be addressed during site plan review when the redevelopment process actually begins.
Township Committeeman Chad Goerner stressed that his vote was conditional upon ensuring the garage’s footprint would not be increased, as well as guaranteeing a vacant lot adjacent to the parking structure would remain.
Mr. Goerner also suggested tightening the ordinance’s safety standards, because of the garage’s proximity to Community Park School.
The hospital’s main campus, fronting Franklin Avenue, Henry Avenue and Witherspoon Street, spans the border of the township and borough.
Although most of the approximately 12-acre hospital site is in the borough, the garage’s location in the township raised numerous questions regarding whether it could handle increased retail and office uses, as well as the borough’s proposed residential space.
Heidi Fichtenbaum, a Carnahan Place resident, said some of her neighbors are already hoping to use the garage for extra parking.
Ms. Fichtenbaum also questioned the committee’s knowledge of the ordinance an assertion that led to the retrieval of Princeton’s book of zoning codes midway through the meeting to confirm certain aspects of the ordinance.
"I am very concerned everyone’s going to be salivating looking at this parking structure," Ms. Fichtenbaum said. "If you fail to protect our neighborhood … the fallout is going to be massive."
Residents also suggested keeping the garage’s use specific to the redevelopment area in order to control traffic volume.
But township officials said it is likely traffic would decrease if the hospital moves because of the current volumes of patients, visitors and ambulances.
Any amendments proposed next year addressing quality-of-life issues would be OK with the hospital, said Pam Hersh, Princeton HealthCare System’s vice president for government and community affairs.
"All along we’ve been trying to be sensitive to the needs of the neighborhood," Ms. Hersh said.
The borough’s zoning ordinances, approved by the Borough Council in October, are geared toward primarily residential development, while the township’s addresses commercial construction.
The township ordinance would permit offices, banks, retail stores or restaurants, and also sets design standards for any rehabilitation the area receives. Any commercial establishment must also be located on the ground floor and is not permitted to front on Henry Avenue, according to the ordinance.
The design standards intend to integrate any development with existing structures by suggesting that future governing bodies consider the bulk and appearance of any redevelopment application. The guidelines also encourage connecting sidewalks and pathways to adjacent neighborhoods.
While ensuring the homes on Harris Road remain, the ordinance does not permit any new residential development in the hospital area located in the township. There is no need for additional housing in that area, the ordinance states, and the hospital buildings in the township are better suited for retail or office space.
The garage, slated for an overlay zone, would allow future developers to restripe and produce as many as 780 parking spaces, a maximum increase of 37 spaces over the present capacity.

