Princeton Township Introduces Ordinance For New Arts Zone

The Princeton Township Committee on Monday voted 4-0 to introduce an ordinance for a proposed Arts Education Transit Zone, one that mirrors a similar ordinance introduced in the borough.

If approved, the new zone would accommodate Princeton University in its quest to build its $300 million Lewis Arts Center and move the Dinky commuter train nearly 500 feet south of its current location.

The new zone would be located along the northern portion of the Alexander Street corridor, near University Place.

The township has tentatively set August 15 for the public hearing on the proposed Arts Education Transit zone.

The planning board will now review both the borough and township’s proposed ordinances to make sure they adhere to Princeton’s master plan, township Mayor Chad Goerner said.

The approximately 7 acres in the new zoning district would allow a variety of uses, including parking, university offices, retail stories, museums, galleries, movie theaters, multimedia businesses, homes, retail stories, classrooms, and childcare facilities.

But township officials were clear that the new zone is not meant to divert business from downtown.

“We have no intention of this location being a second Nassau Street or being in competition with it,” Goerner said.

But having neighborhood businesses like childcare and dry cleaners could help alleviate downtown congestion, he said.

After township officials expressed concern that dormitories were listed as an allowable use in the new zone, the university’s attorney, Richard Goldman, agreed that the language should be changed to reflect multi-family residences not to exceed 10,000 square feet.

“Its more a matter of convenience (to have space for potential artists-in-residence) than a desire to have a freestanding dormitory residence,” Goldman said.

The new zone would offer at least 180 parking spaces for metered and commuter parking, Goldman said, up from the 150 spaces at the current Dinky location.

Goerner asked about a possible transit only zone that may be proposed in the borough as a way to preserve the Dinky location. Goldman said he was surprised by the borough discussions.

“If someone were to create a transit only zone in heart of Princeton University’s campus, what does that result in? It does not preserve the rail service,” he said.

If the train were to stop running, the NJ Transit easement over the train tracks would lapse after five years of non-use, he said, and the university couldn’t use the land for anything but transportation. It’s also possible that the cafes proposed for in the existing train stations may no longer be permitted.

“It comes to feel a little like spot zoning,” Goldman said. “I think there are a lot a problems with this idea.”