Princeton Planning Board Approves Over-55 Luxury Apartment Complex

The planning board on Thursday unanimously approved a plan by J. Robert Hillier to build a 153-unit, over-55 luxury rental apartment complex on Bunn Drive.

Hillier, an architect and developer, told the planning board that the project, Copperwood in Princeton, is expected to be complete in the fall of 2012.

Market rate units will rent for an estimated $1,900-$3,600 a month, not including a dozen affordable housing units. Unit sizes will range from about 700 square feet to about 1,300 square feet.

The five-building complex will be located on 21 acres on the Princeton Ridge next to Hilltop Park, but less than 20 percent of the parcel will be disturbed by construction, Hillier said.

Planning board members commended Hillier on his proposal, which will be far less disruptive to the site than a previous approval for condominiums by builder K. Hovnanian.

Hillier said the condo project was no longer viable when the economy went south.

But because Hillier still needs state approvals for his development, he requested the planning board let the prior approval stand until he receives the state approvals he needs during the next six months.

Planning Board member Audrey Chen recused herself from the discussion.

Yina Moore abstained from the vote. Liz Lempert and Julie Julie Nachamkin voted no.

Hillier said about 75 people have expressed interest in moving into Copperwood and that preference will be given to Princeton residents who sign leases by April 2012.

Property amenities will include a parking garage with elevator, on-site property manager, concierge, café, health club, private meeting rooms, a bicycle storage room and a bus stop.

There will also be piazzas, walking and biking paths and pedestrian streets through the property, which is packed with Beech trees.

The project exterior will be olive grey-green fiber cement.

“Driving down the road, you’ll have a hard time seeing the building,” Hillier said.

The project will feature a sod roof with a cistern to capture rainwater, which will be used to flush toilets on the property and water the landscaping.

Planning board members were concerned that the property might not have enough outdoor visitor parking. But Hillier said if the 17 planned outdoor spots are not enough, he would be happy to address it later.

Two neighbors asked that Hillier consider changing the property’s emergency access route to a local utility right of way, but Hillier's attorney and township officials said that probably would not work because utility companies have tightened security restrictions post 9/11.

In total, the planning board approved Hillier’s project with six minor variances, including balcony setback, driveway setback, detention basin setback, an internally illuminated sign, parking space dimension and steep slope disturbance.