Should the stretch of Witherspoon Street between Nassau Street and Valley Road continue in its current configuration of eight separate zones, or should Princeton consider rezoning? That question was debated by members of the community at Princeton Council’s meeting Monday night. Designed as a dialogue to be continued at future meetings, the topic drew comments about the neighborhood’s character, its diversity, and fear of encroaching development.

Also prominent on the agenda were the potential threats of hydraulic fracking and the future of the environmentally sensitive Princeton Ridge. Council voted 5-1 to approve an ordinance banning fracking in Princeton, the first municipality in Mercer County to do so. Patrick Simon, who cast the sole “no” vote, said that since there are already laws banning fracking in Princeton, passing the ordinance undermines them and makes them seem weak.

Less than a mile long, the Witherspoon Street corridor is a mix of retail, residential, offices, and some other uses. Last January, Council included the future of the street on its list of priorities. “Now, as a unified town, we have the opportunity to create a unified vision,” Planning Director Lee Solow said in his presentation Monday.

But some at the meeting questioned the intention of the discussion. There were suggestions that the intent was to position the corridor, where a 280-unit rental complex will be built on the former Princeton Hospital site, for more development.

“Just leave it alone,” said resident Peter Marks. There has been too much change, he added, “most of it adverse and detrimental in the 50 or so years that I can remember.”

Longtime neighborhood resident and former Princeton Township Mayor Jim Floyd urged Council to prioritize more residential rather than commercial zoning, recalling Witherspoon Street’s history as a home to many African American citizens. Alexi Assmus of Maple Street suggested the town hire a professional urban designer as a consultant to help map out the future. “We need a professional. It’s a complicated street,” she said, adding that a fiscal analysis and a plan for coping with an increase in students at the public schools should be considered.

Beverly Leach, who moved with her husband to a house on Witherspoon Street a few years ago, said they enjoy sitting on their front porch and chatting with passersby. “It’s village living. I have a vision of what this village corridor could be like,” she said. “We need balance.”

Ms. Leach was among several who expressed interest in the idea of form-based zoning, which regulates form and scale. Architect Evan Yassky of Hawthorne Avenue counterd Mr. Marks’s suggestion that Council leave the current situation as is. “I don’t agree that we should sit back and do nothing,” he said. “This deserves planning with professional guidance.”

Council members said they welcomed the opportunity to hear residents’ thoughts on the future of the corridor. Heather Howard said that if there is change, it is to preserve what is already positive on the street, rather than “change for change’s sake.” Lance Liverman, who has lived on Witherspoon Street for 46 years, said the examination of the corridor is necessary, “because it’s vulnerable right now.” The neighborhood, once considered undesirable, has become just the opposite, he said.

Council president Bernie Miller said he wants to hear more from members of the community before making a decision on whether to think about rezoning. Jenny Crumiller said she liked the idea of doing a capacity analysis. Jo Butler said that with the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (PFARS) planning to build a new headquarters at the Valley Road end of the corridor, traffic should also be a consideration.