Ellen Foos of Princeton
Why would the Princeton Planning Board (both Borough and Township) vote to curtail Princeton’s freedom to choose the lands it wants to develop? And to have its own zoning ordinances deemed null? This is the strange possibility the Planning Board will face when it meets ThursDay.
The Chatham development company, owner of the Bunn Drive tracts (Princeton Ridge) on which Hovnanian thought to build condo units in 2005, is prematurely asking the Planning Board for a two-year extension to December 2010 of its rights to have the tracts developed even though current approval does not expire until Dec. 1, 2008, 13 months from now.
The tracts for which Chatham seeks early renewal of approval to develop are the same which Robert Hillier has reached a tentative agreement to buy from Chatham for his own development—public discussion of which comes before Township Committee on Nov. 12, 2007. If the Planning Board approves the two-year extension now, the Chatham company can ask for annual renewals from 2010 forever onwards. Why would the Planning Board limit its own options to hear and vote on other future options for land-use that may emerge if Hillier’s proposal does not move forward?
If the Planning Board grants premature approval, then the liberty of Princeton Township to determine its own principles for the future zoning of this land will be infringed. Even if the Township Committee were ultimately to vote to change or rescind the present senior housing overlay (as the Princeton Environmental Commission and Stony Brook Millstone Watershed have recommended, the Chatham developing company would still hold the rights to have the tracts developed. That right now lasts until Dec. 1, 2008 but a premature extension would unnecessarily encumber future municipal options.
At its meeting on Thursday, members of the joint Planning Board should decline the Chathan developer’s application for a premature extension at this time. They should value their own decision-making rights and options and those of Township Committee—-more highly than the untimely and unwarranted requests from an owner based in Short Hills with little concern for the well-being and integrity of Princeton. It would be irresponsible of the Planning Board to grant extended approval to Chatham.
Ellen Foos
Griggs Drive
Princeton

