The future of affordable housing in Princeton was the topic of a standing-room-only public meeting of Princeton Council and the town’s Planning Board in Monument Hall last week. The lengthy discussion included numerous comments from members of the public as well as questions and suggestions from the governing bodies themselves.

The town wants to hear the public’s opinions on the issues covered in a document on housing goals written by a Princeton Community Master Plan subcommittee of the Planning Board, planning director Lee Solow said during his presentation. Mr. Solow stressed that the document is not final.

Just how much affordable housing Princeton and other towns in New Jersey must provide is a question to be decided by Mercer County Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson. The group Fair Share Housing has recommended that Princeton be obligated to build 1,000 new affordable housing units over 10 years under new state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules. Several towns in New Jersey have joined a lawsuit that challenges the COAH rules, which require 200,000 new affordable units across the state.

Currently, Princeton works with prospective developers with a goal of setting aside 20 percent of all residential units as affordable housing. Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller suggested at the meeting that the number be raised to 40 percent.

In a review of a 2008 affordable housing proposal, it was suggested that a parking lot on Franklin Avenue opposite where the AvalonBay rental complex is being built become a site for affordable housing units. Residents of the surrounding neighborhood have expressed concerns about that proposal, urging instead that the site be turned into a public park. The lot is owned by Princeton University and is being donated to the town.

Several residents weighed in on the town’s document outlining proposed goals for affordable housing. “What you’ve written is lovely, but it has no teeth,” said Mary Clurman. Heidi Fichtenbaum suggested that encouraging housing that is sustainable is not enough. “Be specific about what we expect,” she said. “All of this was brought into crystal clarity when you were trying to work with AvalonBay.”

Toby Israel said the current process “represents an opportunity to really think about affordable housing in a holistic way.” Michael Floyd said he was leery of the “walkability” factor and putting affordable housing units where there is already a lot of density. Leighton Newlin of the Princeton Housing Authority said, “The reason government steps in to level the playing field is that municipal government does not. Keep a balanced and equitable effort as you move forward.”

Next steps include developing an affordable housing obligation between now and the end of this month, review and revision of the plan’s housing goals by the end of October, drafting the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan by the end of November, and adopting those two initiatives by the end of the year. The town plans to schedule another meeting on the subject before any final decisions are made.