West Windsor candidates wary about transit village

Two slates appear before Village Grande Civic Association

By: Nick Norlen
   WEST WINDSOR — At a forum for West Windsor Township Council candidates Thursday, the last question asked was certainly not the least: Are the candidates on board for a "town center" that includes a transit village in Princeton Junction?
   Two slates of candidates are vying for three council seats in the May 8 election. The forum was hosted by the Village Grande Civic Association.
   On one ticket, incumbents Will Anklowitz and Charles Morgan are joined by newcomer George Borek.
   On the other, incumbent Franc Gambatese is running with Planning Board members Diane Ciccone and Chuck Chang.
   In terms of their stance on the proposed redevelopment, the six candidates’ responses offered more than the "yea or nay and why" requested by the Village Grande forum moderator.
   Mr. Borek said he is "in favor of what the community wants."
   "The people will dictate what is built," he said.
   He said that regardless of what they choose, all parties should be "careful" about what is done.
   "Because what we do here will change how West Windsor looks in the years to come," he said.
   Mr. Chang said his answer was "simple."
   "I’m for the development," he said.
   He said critics of the project are reacting to a "fear of unknown," and that the township must take action now to tackle issues such as traffic circulation and safety.
   "I am for the project … with some reservations," he said. "We have to do it very carefully. And everyone has to (participate)."
   Mr. Anklowitz agreed that parking and traffic concerns exist, and also urged caution for the project.
   "More often, people are asking questions" about the potential economic, traffic and environmental impact of the redevelopment, he said.
   Earlier in the meeting, he expressed concern about the 1,000 housing units proposed for the site.
   "Housing causes traffic, it causes taxes," he said. "That part worries me quite a bit."
   However, he said he believes that some redevelopment has already begun along the Route 571 corridor.
   "We need to take control of it," he said.
   Mr. Gambatese said he is "for a town center."
   He added, "The town needs a hub. Redevelopment — we have to have it. It’s critical. There’s a big mess out in Princeton Junction."
   Although he said he believes the area is technically "already a transit village," he said he is worried about the proposed number of housing units.
   "What I’m not for is putting in so many houses that we can’t get in any more cars," he said, noting that he is not worried about the impact to schools because of projections that the district population will drop in the next few years.
   However, Mr. Morgan said he wants to see figures about school district impact and other issues.
   "Show me the numbers," he said, referring to statements that the project won’t be feasible unless 1,000 housing units are included.
   In general, Mr. Morgan said he is worried about costs.
   "We’re going to pay for it," he said. "I want to make sure that you and I do not drown in traffic, we do not drown in taxes, and that that projected downturn in students at the schools doesn’t turn into an upturn."
   Ms. Ciccone also said she will strive to get "answers" about the project.
   "I’ve been listening to the community," she said. "And what I heard is that most people want something to change, want something to happen at the train station redevelopment area.
   However, "1,000 houses worry me," she said. "I just can’t imagine that our roads could take that much more." She said she would embrace the project if it addresses congestion and parking concerns, has "a minimum impact on our environment and our housing and our schools," and "if the community can embrace it."
   "But until we get that information, we really need to look at the questions," she said.