Protecting Princeton ridge

Jane L. Buttars of People for Princeton Ridge
    As readers remember from the winter of 2007-2008, Princeton citizens organized to prevent any high-density development on the “environmentally sensitive” Princeton Ridge (Bunn Drive). Some 2,100 protesters signed a petition that objected to an ordinance allowing Hillier Properties LLC to build “up to 158” age-restricted units on the “Lowe Tract,” terrain whose forest habitat, root-systems and canopy are essential to native species and to the natural control of stormwater runoff from the Ridge. In March 2008 People for Princeton Ridge, Inc. (“PPR”), filed a lawsuit against Princeton Township to block the development.
   PPR met throughout the summer and fall of 2008 with Mr. Robert Hillier, who produced a new plan more environmentally acceptable than his first proposal (November 2007). Sufficient agreement was reached concerning reduced building footprint and forest preservation that, on 16 December 2008, PPR submitted to Princeton Township Committee a Settlement Proposal, outlined thus:
   PPR proposes that total disturbance of land be 3.3 acres or less, with the remainder of the Lowe Tract (17+ acres out of 20.88 overall) to be deeded to a New Jersey conservation organization for permanent preservation as open space. The builder will protect nearly 2/3 of the trees on the specific lot originally slated for more extensive development; all parking will be underground. PPR also proposes that Princeton Township contribute financial support and fund-raising efforts to secure as permanent open space some significant acreage adjacent to the Lowe Tract.
   Further agreements on the building footprint (1.8 acres or less) and on the remaining 1.5 acres or less (access road, sidewalk, etc.), as well as other issues, must still be worked out. PPR trusts that Township Committee (and the Princeton Regional Planning Board) will join PPR in seeking solutions that are least invasive of the environment. Common-sense adherence to parameters stated in the New Jersey State Residential Site Improvement Standards code (2008) will help hugely in producing a negotiated settlement that respects environmental concerns as much as possible while still allowing unfortunate but limited site destruction.
   PPR hopes that a negotiated settlement will represent an intelligent compromise that grants some of Township’s stated need for age-restricted housing while simultaneously achieving permanent protection of considerable acreage through responsible environmental stewardship.
   The Princeton Regional Planning Board will meet on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Hillier Concept Plan; citizens concerned to assure a Sustainable Princeton should please attend.
Jane L. Buttars, trustee
People for Princeton Ridge, Inc.