PRINCETON: Board approves plan for housing near battlefield

By staff report
   The Princeton Regional Planning Board on Feb. 1 unanimously approved plans by the Institute for Advanced Study to build housing on its property adjacent to the historic Princeton Battlefield.
   The Princeton Battlefield Society, which is opposed to the project, said it challenge the decision in court and would seek to have the Department of Environmental Protection block it as being harmful to nearby wetlands.
   The board said the planned 15 new residences for faculty members was conforming and no variance was needed on the private property.
   Eight townhouses and seven single-story homes are planned for an area about 200 feet from the battlefield off Maxwell Lane. Maxwell Lane is off Einstein Drive on the property next to the battlefield.
   Dr. Peter Goddard, director of the institute has said there are a total of 45 to 50 families at any given time with housing needs by faculty, emeritus and widowers of faculty.
   The townhouses, which would be constructed first, would be starter homes for new faculty or age-in-place residences for the emeritus faculty that want to stay at IAS. They would be 22-foot high, flat-roof buildings that are designed by local architect Robert Hillier.
   All development would be located on a single street with a could-de-sac.
   Materials for the project, such as weathered zinc and unpainted woods, would be designed to blend in with the surrounding natural setting.
   The IAS owns a total of 880 acres adjacent to the battlefield, including the main campus with educational buildings, library and some dorms for students.
   Six acres are proposed for housing. The remaining area is proposed for conservation and 589 acres of woodland is preserved in perpetuity. The woods, which are 75 percent of IAS’ property are covered under Greenacres easement established in 1997.
   The Princeton Battlefield Society is against the project, mainly because of the potential for the loss of an important battle site.
   The society also thinks the project will disturb the landscape and alter how people interpret the Battle of Princeton.