Jane Buttars of Princeton
I was greatly dismayed to learn that Westerly Road Church intends to construct a new large building on the Princeton Ridge (Bunn Drive). Clear-cutting the 18.5-acre lot to accommodate a 48,000 square-foot building, 300 parking spaces, outdoor cafe and lawn area does not indicate to me any awareness that this area has been declared “environmentally sensitive” by many local, county, and state agencies since 1959. I cannot understand why, after only a year since the huge public outcry over Robert Hillier’s proposed development of the Lowe tract, less than half a mile from the proposed lot, the designers of the new church would endorse the wholesale destruction of trees and the disruption of habitat right next to Herrontown Woods, protected since 1956.
News of the church’s plans was shocking, but not unexpected. As long as the present zoning remains in place, we can expect before long the few remaining tracts on the Ridge to be covered with parking lots. The recent clear-cutting of the Medical Arts Building site, first approvals for which were granted years ago, is a recent example. We now know much more about the benefits to the community in preserving the Ridge environment than we did years ago when the zoning was put in place. Why is there no political will to change it and demand adherence to sensible guidelines for sustainability?
Since reasonable zoning now seems unlikely, our best hope is that the Planning Board will press the builder do as much as possible to minimize the impact of construction. Mr Hillier reacted intelligently to public pressure and redesigned his development with sustainability in mind. We hope that both lay and religious leadership of the Westerly Road Church will soon revise the concept plans recently shown to the Princeton Environmental Commission, and welcome the opportunity to create a unique model of sustainability in the community. Many religious groups have long understood the relationship between stewardship and respect for the environment, on the one hand, and religious and humane values on the other.
Another solution has been suggested, which would save both monetary and natural resources. The footprint of the new design for the church fits their present Princeton location. Why not find a temporary home for the church while a new building is constructed on the present site?
In any case, environmentally sensible ways of building have taken hold all around the country. Basic adherence to LEED principles (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), retention of as many trees as possible (for their economic value and for the habitat they provide for all the creatures on this planet) and, in this case, using pervious surfaces and underground parking with tandem spaces are aspects of site-design that should be encouraged and rewarded among all builders. We can’t afford anything less.
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the church’s plan for subdivision of their present property on April 16 at 7.30 p.m., Township Municipal Complex, 400 Witherspoon Street. Concerned Princetonians, please attend.
Jane Buttars
Princeton

