December 7, 2016

Former Location of SAVE To Be Site of Office Building

At a meeting of Princeton’s Planning Board last week, developer Charles Yedlin received approval to put an office building on the site of the former headquarters of a longtime animal shelter. The Herrontown Road location was home to SAVE, a Friend to Homeless Animals, for 74 years before the organization moved to a 10-acre expanse in Skillman in August, 2015.

The board’s unanimous vote came at a hearing continued from one held at a meeting on October 20. Mr. Yedlin has proposed a 25,000-square-foot building for the site at 900 Herrontown Road, which he bought from SAVE last August. The land is bordered by an office building also owned by Mr. Yedlin, and single family homes and townhouses on Mount Lucas Road and Old Orchard Lane.

Acting on concerns from homeowners, Mr. Yedlin revised the plan to provide a 40-foot buffer on his property, and 10 feet of buffer on an adjacent property. Additional landscaping and relocation of handicapped parking were also part of the reworked proposal.

“The setbacks are now closer, and we think this an excellent solution to the problem that was raised,” said Thomas M. Letizia, the attorney representing the developer. “We believe the homeowners’ association is in agreement.”

Carl Peters, representing residents of 11 Old Orchard Lane, told the planners he has met with Mr. Yedlin about their issues and is pleased with the changes to the proposed plan. Another resident of the street also praised Mr. Yedlin for listening to and acting on their concerns.

SAVE’s original three buildings on the irregularly-shaped lot were crumbling and overcrowded by the time the organization relocated to Route 601 in Skillman. The organization was founded in 1941 by Cornelia Jaynes (1895-1969), who lived on the site and provided sanctuary for cats, dogs, and other animals. The Montgomery Township location has 10,000 square feet and room for 100 animals, up from the 15 dogs and 60 cats that were accommodated on Herrontown Road.

Asked for specifics about the two-story building he proposed, Mr. Yedlin told members of the Planning Board that he can’t be locked into any specific elevation or design right now. “I have been talking to prospective tenants and brokers,” he said, referring to some sample drawings that were projected. “I need to have some flexibility.” The building would have a similar look to those in the drawings, but “with slight variations of the theme,” he added.