Community Corner

Citizens Group Withdraws Opposition To AvalonBay Development

By Greta Cuyler    

Princeton Citizens for Sustainable Neighborhoods, the group that has consistently opposed the AvalonBay redevelopment proposal on Witherspoon Street, abruptly withdrew its objection on Thursday night.

No reason was given.

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Planning Board Chairwoman Wanda Gunning read a letter into the record at the beginning of Thursday night’s meeting from PCSN attorney Rob Simon.

“PCSN will no longer be opposing AvalonBay’s application,” Simon's letter read in part.

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Afterward, PCSN Trustee Alexi Assmus would only say that the decision to abandon the fight against the development was made late Thursday afternoon.

Assmus had no further comment. Neither did fellow PCSN trustees Daniel Harris nor Kate Warren.

Asked if he knew about PCSN’s intention to withdraw its objections prior to Thursday’s meeting, AvalonBay Vice President Jon Vogel would only say “I have no comment on the matter.”

AvalonBay is before the Planning Board with a proposal to raze the now-vacant hospital building on Witherspoon Street and construct 280 apartments- of which 56 would be affordable units.

The proposal is to build 24 studios, 104 one-bedroom apartments, 120 two-bedroom apartments and 30 three-bedroom apartments.

The Planning Board rejected AvalonBay’s first plan in December, citing the developer's failure to meet Princeton's design standards and blend the project in with the surrounding neighborhood. 

AvalonBay filed suit against the town and the Planning Board. But Princeton and AvalonBay officials quietly began meeting in the new year, hoping to find an out-of-court compromise. The result is the new plan now under review (click here for specifics of the new plan).

Vogel said the revised plan attempts to alleviate residents' concerns about a gated community, issues of permeability, number of buildings and building heights. 

PCSN members may have been the most vocal opponents of the AvalonBay development, but they were certainly not the only ones.

Residents lined up to speak about the proposal on Thursday and most said they oppose it.

Objections include the “massive” size of the development, “bland” design and lack of priority for Princeton residents.

Shirley Satterfield of Quarry Street spoke of Princeton’s rich history and economic realities that are forcing longtime residents out of town.

“Developers come to Princeton with no interest or respect for residents and descendants of those families who have lived in Princeton for generations and who cannot afford to remain or return,” Satterfield said. “Our town has lost many noted and contributing former residents who have moved to surrounding retirement villages because Princeton had no quality retirement housing. The working class and laborers who, for generations, have serviced the well to do Princeton residents have been forced out of Princeton because of the lack of affordable housing.

"What the Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood needs is 'housing that is affordable,' " Satterfield said.

A few residents spoke in favor of the development.

Christine Keddie said more affordable apartments in the center of town will mean less driving, more walking, and a more inclusive community.

"Either we allow more apartment housing to be allowed in town or we might as well draw a big red line around Princeton and say only upper, upper middle class residents welcome,” Keddie said.


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