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Vol. LXIII, No. 3
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 3
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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The Princeton Regional Planning Board approved a request by the toy store jaZams Thursday for a minor site plan variance allowing it to expand its mezzanine level to a total of 312 square feet. The reorganization meeting also saw the reappointment of Peter Madison as the chair, and Jacqueline Tillman and Wanda Gunning as the vice cochairs for the Township and Borough, respectively.
According to the zoning requirements in the central business district, the extension of jaZams’s floor area would generate the need for one additional parking space. JaZams owner Joanne Farrugia’s application to the planning board requested that the requirement to create a new parking space be waived.
Planning Director for the Regional Planning Board Lee Solow remarked that “in our field operations, this should not overburden the parking garage or any spaces” on the street.
Pepper Hamilton Attorney Tom Letizia, who was representing Ms. Farrugia, agreed with Mr. Solow’s assessment, and added that there are no plans to increase the employee base at the store as a result of the additional mezzanine area, that employees park in the garage at a cost provided by the ownership of jaZams, and that since the extension would be for office and storage space, and not part of the retail space, he anticipated it would not overburden street parking.
Speaking as a member of the public, Planning Board member Yina Moore, who abstained from the vote, cautioned the board regarding the future of downtown parking in general.
Citing the recently-approved plans for the Nassau Inn expansion that did not create additional parking spaces, Ms. Moore warned that the completion of the town homes and apartments in the downtown area would create a demand that is difficult to estimate. “We need to really watch how parking is being appropriated and used,” she said.
The board members unanimously approved Ms. Farrugia’s application for jaZams.
In other reorganization business, Allen Porter will continue as the board’s attorney. New members are Audrey Chen; Township Committee member Lance Liverman; Township Mayor Bernie Miller; and Julie Nachamkin. Ms. Moore, Marvin Reed, Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman, and Gail Ullman are the other returning members of the Planning Board.