Princeton debate on historic district designation likely to be rekindled

Deer Path and Clover Lane area to be focus of sessions

By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
   Though stalled since the spring, the debate about a proposed historic district in the Deer Path and Clover Lane neighborhood in Princeton Township will likely be rekindled next month.
   Township Committeeman Chad Goerner, who acts as the liaison to the Historic Preservation Committee, said Tuesday that he has sent an e-mail to his fellow Township Committee members requesting that a special work session be held in December for all parties to discuss the possible options.
   Though the suggestion has to be approved by the rest of the committee, “I assume that they will,” said Mr. Goerner.
   The proposal of a historic designation for the neighborhood, known for its mid-century modern architectural style featuring carports and a mix of slanted and flat roofs, created a debate earlier this year with homeowners in at least three camps.
   Advocates for the designation have claimed it would protect the neighborhood’s character, opponents have argued it would restrict homeowners’ property rights, and those somewhere in the middle have voiced favor for heightened zoning regulations.
   Nevertheless, the Historic Preservation Commission has determined that the area is at least eligible for a historic district.
   Mr. Goerner said the idea for the December meeting is to invite all of the residents to provide the Township Committee with feedback.
   ”It’s going to be an opportunity for the rest of Township Committee to gain an insight into the options that are viable,” he said. “Hopefully at the end of that meeting the township will be able to give some direction, then give ideas to the Planning Board for review.”
   Consequently, “all of those things are on the table and I think they will be discussed openly,” Mr. Goerner said.
   ”Hopefully that way we can come to some consensus on how we can proceed,” he said. “Hopefully we come up with a decision that makes the majority of the people happy.”
   Meanwhile, there is little movement on the proposal for a historic district in the borough’s Western section, which includes various styles of large homes on Library Place, Hodge Road, Boudinot Street and Bayard Lane.
   Library Place resident John Heilner, who is one of the proponents of the historic district designation, has said a group of residents plans to commission a study of approximately 60 homes in the area.
   But he said Tuesday that those plans are “on hold.”
   He added, “We really just haven’t gotten around to it.”
   Historic Preservation Review Committee Chairwoman Jeanne Perantoni said the ball is in the residents’ court.
   ”It still goes back to that study,” she said.
   If such a survey were completed, it would then be reviewed by the committee, which would then provide the review to Borough Council, she said.