A draft ordinance affecting properties running along one side of East Nassau Street was the focus of a work session at last week’s meeting of the Princeton Borough Council. Hearing from several members of the public and expressing views of their own, Council members continued what has become an extended discussion of the area once known as “gasoline alley,” the location of the former Wild Oats and West Coast Video stores.

Under consideration is a proposal to rezone eight properties on the south side of the street, in the Service Business (SB) zone, to the same types of uses for properties across the street, zoned Neighborhood Business (NB). The proposed ordinance, which was presented to Council by Borough Planning Director Lee Solow, would allow for banks and restaurants up to 5,000 square feet.

Discussion about banks, fast food restaurants, and kiosks dominated the session. Council president Barbara Trelstad noted that the existing banks in the area are no longer centers of activity and don’t add to the livelihood of the neighborhood since most people now do their banking through drive-up or online access. “I’d cut them in half, or eliminate them” from the ordinance, she said. “It’s not the activity we envision for the neighborhood.”

Councilman Roger Martindell took it a step further. “I’d eliminate them, not reduce the number,” he said. “There is no socially justifiable use for a bank in that neighborhood. Why do we need another bank? What does it do for the community? What does it do for the neighborhood?” Later in the meeting, following testimony from some neighborhood property owners in favor of banks, Mr. Martindell modified his position on the issue.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Jack Morrison, president of Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company and a representative of the Princeton Merchants Association, argued in favor of banks. “Frankly, I would like to see a bank across the street,” he said. “It would attract business people to come and have lunch. Mix is about what that neighborhood has always been. It might not be glitzy, but it’s about what people need and use.”

Regarding restaurants, the draft ordinance prohibits drive-thru establishments. There was discussion about whether fast food places should be prohibited; more specifically about the definition of fast food. “I think that would eliminate a lot of places we have in that neighborhood,” said Ms. Trelstad. “Small World, the fish store … are they fast food? You don’t eat there. It encompasses so many different kinds of establishments. What we have in our head is the one kind.”

Councilwoman Jo Butler added, “We could be cutting off our nose to spite our face. There are carry-out vegetarian restaurants.”

Moving on to the topic of kiosks, Councilman Kevin Wilkes suggested that only establishments without tables be included in the definition. He also expressed enthusiasm for the idea. “I’m very excited. This is the kind of thing that can bring interesting street life,” he said. “To have start-up commercial space at different sizes is very important. We tend to forget about making the tiny ones, and this is an opportunity to do that. When we say we want to modify the SB zone to mirror to the extent practical the NB zone, I think what we’re trying to say is we want to have some of the excitement that exists on the north side exist on the south side. I don’t think we want to mirror; I think we want to capture the excitement … let’s keep in mind that what we seek to capture is the livelihood of the street level, and the kiosks are an opportunity to do that.”

Linda Fahmie, who represents the Carnevale family, owners of the former Wild Oats property at 255 Nassau Street, urged Council to permit banks in the new zone. She said she has been trying to lease the property for more than two years, but the location has made it difficult. “People don’t want more restaurants,” she said. “A lot of people like the idea of a clean bank usage.”

Robert Bratman, owner of 259 Nassau Street (formerly West Coast Video), said his family pays about $45,000 a year in taxes on the empty building. “To limit use is going to keep the buildings empty,” he said. “A bank at least provides the anchor type tenant whom you know is going to pay the rent and supply other uses that could be more appealing to neighbors. It’s there from nine to five, and then it’s a parking lot. We appreciate all that you’ve done. But when you make up your mind, please [give us] more instead of less use.”