Sharing Concerns About Proposed Seminary Property Redevelopment Plan
To the Editor:
As a concerned 30-plus year Princeton resident, a design professional, a father of two, and a neighbor to the Princeton Seminary, I have reviewed the public information supporting the proposed ordinance and offer the following summary of my concerns over rushing the approval of the Seminary Property Redevelopment Ordinance:
Unique Development: The redevelopment plan includes multifamily dwellings separated by Hibben Road, presenting unique challenges compared to other developments in Princeton.
Shared Spaces: Residents will need access to shared amenities, potentially leading to the addition of a new crosswalk near the existing one at Hibben and Stockton.
Traffic Impact: Hibben Road, identified as a local road, already faces excessive cut-through trafic, partly mitigated by speed pillows. New curb cuts for approximately 40 units will significantly increase traffic by over 300 percent.
Safety Concerns: Stockton Street (Route 206) is a heavily trafficked primary arterial. The existing and new crosswalks pose safety risks, particularly because of poor sight lines and heavy truck traffic.
Pedestrian Behavior: Pedestrian behavior may render the new crosswalk ineffective as people often choose the most direct route, even if unsafe, as acknowledged by the Federal Highway Administration.
Vehicular Access: The addition of nearly 200-car garage access off Stockton further increases risks due to numerous vehicular crossings and existing challenges on Hibben and Edgehill roads.
Neighborhood Safety: The development is surrounded by residential zoning, raising concerns about the fit with local context and the overall safety of streets and sidewalks.
Transparency Issues: There has been insufficient community engagement and transparent communication since the initial town meeting last fall. The lack of updates and community discussions on necessary adjustments to the project is concerning.
Density and Traffic: The high proposed unit density will likely exacerbate traffic patterns, negatively impacting neighborhood safety and worsening already ongoing delays.
These points outline significant concerns about the implications of the proposed redevelopment project, emphasizing the need for reconsideration of density, traffic, safety, and community engagement aspects.
I believe further adjustments to the project could significantly reduce the concerns I have identified above. Rushing to approve the ordinance may have profound negative impacts on the future of Princeton.