By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Zoning changes were approved for the Witherspoon Street hospital site by the Borough Council this week, which will allow a potential developer to take the next steps in its process to construct 280 apartments.
The unanimously approved zoning changes for the Iselin-based AvalonBay proposed project allow signs, a leasing office, an arts and crafts studio and allowances for cornices to protrude into the setbacks.
The 25-foot setback for the main building adjacent to the garage will not apply, allowing the garage to connect to the building.
The zoning changes will apply to any developer that wishes to build on the site, which will be vacated after the hospital moves to Plainsboro on May 22.
AvalonBay is seeking approvals to build a mix of studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom units on the 5.6 acre hospital site. The company’s purchase of the property is contingent on receiving approvals to build its project.
”We’re pleased the Borough Council has moved forward as they indicated they would two weeks ago,” said Ron Ladell, vice president of AvalonBay Communities after the Borough Council made its decision late Tuesday night. “In addition, we are very involved in significant discussions with this design standards committee to try and accommodate some of the concerns the members have on behalf of the residents and other bulk and mass issues.”
Several members of Borough Council are working with the developer on design standards to meet neighbors’ demands for less mass and to open the project up to make it more welcoming to the neighborhood and as sustainable as possible.
Mr. Ladell said the company has not filed a site plan and does not have an exact date for that step as they are still working on the massing and bulk standards.
”Until we finish those, we are not in a position to file a site plan,” he said. “The goal would be as soon as possible, because in two weeks from today the hospital will be out, they have to decommission the site and we’re not going to start the asbestos and demolition work until we are much, much further along with our land use process.”
Princeton Citizens for Sustainable Neighborhoods, a group of concerned citizens headed by Alexi Assmus and Daniel Harris, sent overnight letters to the hospital trustees this week asking hospital officials to honor its obligations to the town.
”The Avalon plans disregard the community’s wishes for the site as expressed in the master plan 2006, borough code, and the 2005 concept drawing,” said Ms. Assmus, sending the groups’ letter and materials to local media. “The hospital was intensively involved in coming up with the master plan for the hospital site.”
They also request leaders from UMCP to attend all public meetings at which renderings or site plans are discussed.
”We are deeply uncertain whether the present prospective applicant, nationally known for modular construction that does not require much customization to existing conditions or neighborhood requirements, is capable of fulfilling the vision to which hospital negotiators committed in subscribing to the 2006 master plan,” reads the letter.
Joseph Weiss, a Leigh Avenue resident, said elements in this ordinance are flawed. He showed diagrams of the scale that is allowable for the project and the proposed development.
”What is allowed allows a football stadium in the middle of a residential neighborhood,” said Mr. Weiss. “You’re putting a huge building in the middle of a residential neighborhood” and the zoning should protect the neighborhood.
The now-approved zoning allows a huge scale shift in building mass and height, said Mr. Weiss, showing a scale diagram of the proposed AvalonBay project, comparing it to Princeton University stadium, the Princeton Public Library and the Residences at Palmer Square.
”You have to get your mind around Princeton stadium sitting on Witherspoon Street,” he said. “That’s what you have to get your mind around.”
Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad said the project is smart growth and provides 56 affordable housing units, which still leaves the borough shy of its requirements.
Council members did agree there are problems with the ordinance.
Councilwoman Heather Howard said the borough is in a pickle and the borough needs to move forward.
”I’m not wholly enthusiastic about this ordinance or the development that will emerge, but it’s the best of a not perfect situation,” said Councilman Roger Martindell, agreeing with Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller, who said she was making the best of a bad situation.
”It reminds me a little bit of the E5 zoning ordinance (which was approved after much public debate to allow Princeton University to build it’s arts and transit project and move the Dinky) that was a bad situation, but the borough was in a legal box,” said Mr. Martindell.
He also pointed out Mr. Ladell is making a good faith effort to work with the borough when he does not have to, and the borough officials should not antagonize him and jeopardize that good faith.
Councilman Kevin Wilkes said he thinks AvalonBay will build a project to meet the standards of Princeton and it will take continued collaboration with AvalonBay and hospital personnel.

