PRINCETON: Variances OK’d on Witherspoon Street projects

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   Redevelopment is beginning to take shape along Witherspoon Street as a local architect/developer received unanimous approval from the zoning board to proceed with two projects.
   Robert Hillier’s two applications for Witherspoon Street properties — one as a possible restaurant — were heard before the board for variances last week.
   The first was a request for approvals to re-use the existing building, known as the Forer Pharmacy building at 160 Witherspoon St., as an eatery.
   ”There were conditions applied to Forer’s which will make it hard to have a take out or sit down restaurant there and some other uses,” said Mr. Hillier. “Remember, our request was to be able to rent to other businesses without having to come back to zoning every time there was a change of tenant. Before last night, the only tenant you could have in the store was a pharmacy … period.”
   He also requested a variance to continue the prior existing use of the entire building for business use while the ordinance requires residential use of at least 60 percent of the building floor area.
   Mr. Hillier said the site would be used as a takeout restaurant. No tenant has been specified, but Mr. Hillier said he has had interest from Indian, Mexican and deli takeout establishments.
   There was also a parking variance requested.
   The second application modified permitted hours for retail commercial stores so a possible beauty salon can come into a space at 190-198 Witherspoon Street. The business will be allowed to remain open until 8 p.m.
   This is one of the buildings in front of Mr. Hillier’s office.
   ”That’s the complex we are renovating right now,” said Mr. Hillier last week. “It’s the building closest to Nassau Street. We have a wonderful hairdresser that wants to go in there, called B&B.”
   The salon would be small, only two chairs, and has an existing client base.