Theological Seminary Redevelopment Passes Planning Board

The New Brunswick Planning Board gave its approval on Tuesday night to the next phase of a redevelopment project of the Rutgers University College Avenue campus.

Three acres of property on the campus on the New Brunswick Theological Seminary between Bishop Place and Seminary Place and College Avenue and George Street are slated to be the site of a new chapel and mixed-use building containing classroom space, common student space, a dining and multi-purpose area, and faculty offices.

A 96-spot parking lot, surrounded by trees to shield it from view is also slated to be constructed on the site.

Civil engineer Rebecca Koze, who testified about the details of the project, claimed that accommodations for student pedestrians would be made during construction, including the usage of the one-way Seminary Place as a two-way street, to keep construction vehicles off the pedestrian-heavy College Avenue.

City Planning Director Glen Patterson said that decision would have to go before City Council for approval before it could be enforced.

Architect Michael Farewell addressed the historical significance of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, from its former place on Old Queens campus to its current spot on Seminary Place. With that in mind, the seminary's Sage Library is to be preserved, he said.

Six buildings are scheduled to be demolished, including the seminary president's house, to make room for the new construction, said Thomas F. Kelso, who spoke on behalf of the project applicants.

Kelso said the project required a variance for signage, as five standalone signs will be needed in various spots around campus.

A height variance was also requested on the chapel, as it was planned to be 38.4 feet, as opposed to the permitted height of 35 feet. This was to aid with the chapel acoustics, according to Farewell.

The Planning Board signed off on the entire redevelopment project for the College Avenue campus , which includes the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

Patterson said the approval of the plan did not affect the approval process for Tuesday night's application, due to the time frame in which it was submitted.