Ambitious 4th Round Housing Plan Clears Major Hurdle As Princeton Targets 13 Sites

PRINCETON, NJ — On Wednesday, Princeton's Planning Board unanimously approved a comprehensive 437-page affordable housing plan, setting the stage for the municipality to meet its state-mandated obligations over the next decade.

The "Fourth Round Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan" received overwhelming support from both board members and residents during the public hearing. The Town Council is expected to endorse the plan at a special meeting on Thursday, before submitting it to the state.

New Jersey has assigned Princeton an obligation to provide 276 affordable housing units over the next 10 years as part of the state's fourth round of housing mandates. Through strategic negotiations and housing credits for existing qualifying units, Princeton successfully reduced this requirement to 229 units.

The approved plan actually calls for 249 units, creating a 20-unit buffer to account for potential changes during development or to provide a head start on the next round of obligations expected in 2035.

“Princeton’s Fourth Round Plan is a model for how towns can meet their Mount Laurel obligation in an environmentally responsible, economically productive way. Using smart growth principles, the plan incorporates infill development, adaptive reuse, repurposing of stranded assets - vacant office buildings with large parking lots - and mixed use zoning,” Council President Mia Sacks told Patch via email.

“The new housing sites, which limit impervious surface expansion and sprawl, are situated near amenities, jobs, schools and transit corridors, to promote walkable neighborhoods and reduce car dependence and traffic. Princeton’s plan is about more than meeting a legal mandate: it reaffirms our longstanding commitment to enhancing racial and socioeconomic diversity through inclusive development, while strengthening the fabric of our community.”

13 Sites Spanning Both Sides of Town

The housing developments will be distributed across 13 carefully selected sites. Project sizes vary dramatically, from the largest development of 191 units planned for the Niksun office center at 457 Harrison Street to the smallest at 19 units proposed for the Jewish Center of Princeton at 457 Nassau Street.

All designated sites were chosen to meet state requirements that affordable housing locations be "available, approvable, developable, and suitable" for low and moderate-income residents. The locations are generally within walking distance of community amenities and services.

The plan includes three sites designated as 100 percent affordable housing developments owned by the municipality. Princeton Community Housing (PCH) will build and manage these projects, including:

• Former Chestnut Street Firehouse: 16 units with a ground floor community room preserving the building's firefighting history

• 303 John Street: 35 rental units across multiple buildings

• Former Harrison Street Firehouse: 34 units

The remaining sites will feature mixed-income developments with 20 percent affordable units integrated alongside market-rate housing. Notable projects include a 69-unit development on Witherspoon Street proposed by Hillier Architecture and various smaller developments ranging from 8 to 40 units at locations throughout Princeton.

The development sites span key areas of Princeton, including properties on Nassau Street across from Hoagie Haven, the former Kopp's Cycles location on North Tulane Street, and multiple sites along Harrison Street and Witherspoon Street. The geographic distribution ensures affordable housing options are available throughout the community rather than concentrated in specific neighborhoods.

Here’s the list of mixed-income developments (20% Affordable Units)

• Hillier on Witherspoon Street: Properties at 114-120, 136-150, 184-188, and 204-206 Witherspoon Street will be redeveloped as an inclusionary project totaling 69 units, with 14 designated as affordable housing.

• 145 Witherspoon Street: The vacant two-story office building with rear parking will become a mixed-use development featuring retail space and 25 apartments, including five affordable family rental units.

• 360-366 Nassau Street and 11 North Harrison Street: Plans call for a mixed commercial/residential development with 130 total units, 26 of which would be affordable. Municipal discussions are ongoing to finalize the concept plan and unit yield.

• The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street: The 4.85-acre property housing the Jewish Center and nursery school could accommodate 19 units at 25 units per acre density, with four designated as affordable.

• 245-247 Nassau Street: A mixed-use development featuring commercial space and 90 apartment units is planned, with 18 units designated as affordable housing.

• 40-42 North Tulane and 32 Spring Street: This combined site could generate 32 total residential units, with eight designated as affordable housing.

• 86-88, 92-94-96 Spruce Street: The property owner will construct 30 new units including eight affordable units, with six townhomes built along Hamilton Avenue.

• 11-33 State Road and 60 Mount Lucas Road: Municipal planners view this site as suitable for mixed-use redevelopment yielding 80 total residential units, with 16 designated as affordable.

• 29 Thanet Circle: The proposed development could yield 85 for-sale units in stacked townhouses, with 17 designated as affordable housing.

• Princeton Executive Center (Niksun), 457 North Harrison Street: The developer has submitted plans for an inclusionary residential development yielding 191 units, including 40 affordable units.

The plan represents months of collaboration between municipal officials, property owners, and housing advocacy groups to identify viable locations that meet both state requirements and community needs. With Planning Board approval secured, Princeton moves closer to fulfilling its affordable housing obligations while maintaining the character and accessibility that define the community.

You can read the entire 437-page document here.

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