UPDATED: Borough Council to Discuss Transit-Only Zone at Special Meeting Tonight

Princeton Borough Council has scheduled a public meeting tonight to discuss introducing an ordinance that may keep the borough's right of way along the existing Dinky train tracks.

The council will also discuss a special improvement district in the same part of town.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.
 
Council members Jo Butler and Jenny Crumiller are proposing to designate the current Dinky train station as part of a “rail transit zone,” which would maintain the possibility of “straight shot” train tracks into town, should Princeton decide to install streetcars or light rail at a later date. 

Crumiller said the transit zone would not affect the University's current proposal for an arts campus, but would prevent future building on the site. 

"Obviously the University would rather have clear use of its land for future expansion, but in my view the question is not what the University wants, but what is its right, both in legal and moral terms," Crumiller said. "Should the University’s desire for clear use of the land trump the public good that the right-of-way provides in terms of its current convenience and beloved character as well as a straight shot to Nassau Street for future light rail?  People may reasonably disagree on these questions but for me it’s clear that a transit zone would be a reasonable compromise that allows the University to expand while preserving our public asset.”

Without a transit zone, any future train tracks would skirt the university’s property and run along Alexander Street.

“(The transit zone) would throw a monkey wrench into the University’s plan,” said Borough Council President Kevin Wilkes, noting that the University plans to build on what’s known as “Lot 4” on the zoning map. 

Princeton University plans to move the Dinky station about 400 feet south of its current location near the intersection of University Place and Alexander Street in order to build its new $40 million Lewis Center for the Arts. 

Moving the Dinky angered many residents, but university officials maintain they have a legal right to do so. Last month University officials, along with Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the benefits the municipalities will receive when the train station moves.

Also to be discussed at Tuesday's meeting is whether to propose special improvement district called the “Transportation Corridor Special Improvement District.” Nearly three dozen properties, located along University Place and Alexander Street between Nassau Street and the Princeton Township line, are in this district, however any changes would only affect non-residential properties.

According to the draft ordinance, “the district will primarily be considered to develop a mechanism for exploring transportation initiatives in the area.”

The hope is the district would enhance safety, welfare, transportation, parking and economic growth, according to the proposed zoning ordinance.

The proposed district would be managed by a non-profit, nine-member management corporation and funded by a “special assessment” on non-residential properties in the district.