A mix of opinions as ordinary citizens are asked to be master planners
By: Nick Norlen
Despite some agreement among participants about the plans presented Saturday, many residents said they’re still not convinced the workshop process is the right way to decide what’s best for the township.
After more than one presenter said they felt rushed by the process Saturday, Hillier Architecture Chairman Robert Hillier responded by saying that one or two follow-up discussion sessions may be scheduled at Hillier headquarters before the third workshop.
A number of those involved commented on the process Saturday.
Some said they saw the ideas they submitted at the first workshop in the plans presented Saturday.
Katie McKiernan, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North student, Dinsmore Lane: "A lot of the ideas came through. Like my table talked about having a satellite system and that’s found in (Concept) D. We talked about having the apartments and stuff that would be able to go to college students and that was in all of them. And the open space that we talked about came through in C. So, basically all of the major things we wanted came through. And a lot of them came through in different plans, but they were still there, so it was good."
Ryan Linthicum, Hamilton resident looking to move to the West Windsor area: "To me, there’s a lot of those ideas that are working in these plans absolutely. I like how they put the green in one area. A lot of people said they wanted a gathering area to be the center of town. I like the mix of the residential that came back. It wasn’t just apartments it was apartments and townhouses. I think they complement each other and support the retail."
Others weren’t so sure.
Hemi Nae, Sherbrooke Estates Princeton Junction Neighborhood Coalition member: "We are asking for more studies, more information for the residents. In one hour, you can do nothing. You can dream, you can talk, but it’s not going to lead us to some substantial decision making."
Rob Fraser, Princeton Oaks: "Most of my suggestions were in opposition. The opposition isn’t organized in any way. And I’m not sure if that’s really coming through. This is more like a … runaway train. I don’t buy that assumption that the developers are going to rush in here and take over and do everything. This property has been sitting there for years, without anybody doing anything. I just don’t think the site along the tracks is attractive to developers."
But Mr. Fraser said he will keep coming.
"I learned a lot and actually some of my opposition may have softened a bit. Whether we need it or not the key question, I think still looms in my mind. I could start to see what some of the thinking was. I’m certainly not opposed to putting parking garages in instead of acres of parking. I think that should be done no matter what. I forever have an open mind. You’ve got to have an open mind."

