Court Upholds Princeton's Seminary Redevelopment Plan, Clears Path For Affordable Housing Project

PRINCETON, N.J. — A Mercer County Superior Court judge has fully upheld Princeton's Seminary Redevelopment Plan, rejecting all claims filed by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development, Inc. (PCRD).

In a 27-page decision issued Oct. 21, 2025, Judge Robert Lougy denied PCRD's complaint and dismissed the case with prejudice, affirming that Princeton's Mayor and Council, Planning Board, and redevelopment partners acted within their legal authority.

Judge Lougy found that the Seminary redevelopment ordinance (Ordinance #2024-30), adopted in July 2024, was properly enacted and consistent with both Princeton's Master Plan and the state's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

The ruling emphasized that Princeton's adoption of the plan was "valid and reasonable"—not "arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable," as PCRD had alleged.

The court rejected PCRD's claims that the ordinance violated the Municipal Land Use Law, lacked proper procedure, or constituted illegal government action.

The judge also ruled that Princeton's public comment period complied with the Open Public Meetings Act and that the municipality was not barred from adopting the ordinance based on prior communications or planning reports.

The decision allows the 108 Stockton redevelopment project to proceed. The mixed-income residential development will include 48 affordable housing units in an area currently lacking such options, supporting Princeton's smart growth goals and Mount Laurel fair housing obligations.

Mayor Mark Freda and Council members thanked Judge Lougy for his thorough review and reaffirmed their commitment to balancing growth with affordability.

“This ruling validates Princeton’s lengthy, thorough planning process, ensuring that our community remains inclusive and welcoming to residents of all income levels,” the Mayor and Council said in a statement.

“The Seminary project will add much needed housing options in an environmentally responsible way while enabling us to uphold both the spirit and the letter of New Jersey’s fair housing laws.”

PCRD has filed two additional lawsuits against the municipality related to the Seminary property - one challenging Princeton's 2023 Master Plan and another contesting its state-mandated Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan.

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