The board will host a public forum at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Justice Center.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE The Planning Board is hosting a public forum at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the purpose of revisiting Lambertville’s master plan vision and discussing future development in the city.
The information gleaned from this meeting will be used to update the city’s design guidelines and other planning documents.
This past year, Lambertville was awarded a grant by the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth to prepare design guidelines regulating new development that will help protect the scenic and historic character of the city.
After the public forum on Tuesday, the board will commission City Planner Linda Weber, of Clarke Caton Hintz, to prepare a draft set of new design guidelines. The guidelines then will be presented at a public meeting prior to their approval.
Once approved by the Planning Board, the guidelines will be forwarded to the City Council for formal adoption at a public hearing and incorporated into the city’s land use ordinance.
Residents are encouraged to participate in this informal public session. The board is particularly looking for comments and suggestions on the quality and style of development that has occurred in the city over the past decade.
Although the public perception may be that most of the city has been built out, in-fill development is occurring at a surprisingly fast pace. Existing homes and garages are being razed for higher-density townhouses and single-family homes.
At recent Planning Board meetings, residents have expressed their concern about the scale and architectural style of new residential construction, hillside development and parking issues.
The city Planning Board and City Council have the ability to regulate the design of development, but the regulations must be clear and objective. Simply stating that new development should be "compatible" with the character of the city is not legally permissible. The city planner will help residents and board members translate such loosely defined phrases into objective and measurable standards.
The meeting on Tuesday will begin with a very brief slide show presented be Ms. Weber, followed by an informal discussion. The meeting will be held at the Lambertville Justice Center, the Old Acme Building, on South Union Street.

