IAS Needs to Find Alternate Housing Location

To the Editor:

In my opinion, the Institute for Advanced Study plan to build faculty housing should be denied. The housing may be built, but not on the proposed location. This seems to be a point of confusion. Let me clarify my opinion. 

First, I am a member of the Battlefield Society. I am a simple member, so I show up at the hearings to learn the facts. The facts seem to be that the IAS wishes to build 15 units on a parcel of land they own just north of the State Park. The State Park is part of the original battle. The IAS parcel is another part of the same battle. The IAS parcel contains the counterattack portion of the battle, the Washington led counterattack and the turning point. For this reason, I believe it should be preserved. 

The IAS originally did not believe their parcel was part of the counterattack. Now many historians have come forward to voice their opinions that this was the counterattack site, so the IAS is quiet. 

The IAS has stated that they have followed all the rules for the zoning needed for their plan. The Battlefield Society checked that. We asked questions about building on wetlands. The questions involved the federal guidelines on building near or on a wetland. The IAS is quiet about that too. 

The Battlefield Society asked questions about the state and local guidelines regarding cluster developments and proper acreage. The IAS changed their plan which prompted more society questions and now we understand there is a third plan that we have not seen. We will wait and see. It is my opinion that the IAS should not build for historical reasons.

It is also my opinion that the IAS may not have followed all the rules as closely as they said. Aside from historical considerations, the IAS is seeking variations in zoning. That is following the fair application of rules of law. That is something Washington and the Continentals fought for too.

Just my opinion.  

Joe Carney

Glenwood, NJ

Carney is a member of the Princeton Battlefield Society.