Despite Opposition, Princeton Planning Board Unanimously Votes To Adopt Master Plan

PRINCETON, NJ – On Thursday, the Princeton Planning Board voted unanimously to adopt the Community Master Plan, despite reservations from some sections of the community.

The vote came after the Planning Board held two virtual public hearing session via zoom.

Over 230 people attended the virtual meeting on Thursday that went on for over five hours. At the beginning of the meeting Planning Director Justin Lesko made a presentation of the Master Plan, which included several edits.

The edits were made after meeting with architectural historian Clifford Zink and the Municipality’s Historic Preservation Commission. Lesko noted that he also met with neighbors living in the Ober, Battle and Newlin Road area.

Lesko focused his presentation on the land use map which was one of the main points of concern among residents. “Taken out of context it might look like we are calling for massive change in density,” Lesko said. “A lot of this was self-inflicted. I think we caused some of the confusion - and I take responsibility for that - by labeling the future land use map per lot at the open house rather than per acre.”

The Planning Director reiterated that the Master Plan does not call for upzoning.

After the public comment section, Councilman and Planning Board member David Cohen led the deliberations.

“For better or worse, change is inevitable. And if we don’t plan for the change we want, we get change that we don’t want,” Cohen said. “I’ve seen exactly this happening and lamented widely over the 36 years I’ve lived in Princeton.”

Cohen also addressed the petition by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development which urged the Planning Board to pause the approval of the Master Plan. He said those who signed it would not agree with home prices skyrocketing and Princeton becoming unaffordable to all but the top 5 percent.

“None of the critics have a better solution, they just claim that ours won’t work.”

Planning Board member Nat Bottigheimer said the Master Plan was a “reasonable, fact-based" document.

I’ve re-read the plan over the last couple of days, it just struck me over and over again that it’s such a reasonable document that frankly acknowledges issues, and stated goals that I relate to. It just seems like such a reasonable, measured, fact-based document.”

Planning Board member Tim Quinn was of the view that prolonging the process would not lead to more consensus among residents

Chairwoman Louise Wilson concurred. The Planning Board voted 9-0 to approve the Master Plan.

To watch the entire meeting, click here.

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