Hun School to Improve Areas Along Edgerstoune Road

Matthew Hersh

The Princeton Regional Planning Board approved an application allowing the Hun School of Princeton to improve a service yard and various areas along Edgerstoune Road.

In a January 15 meeting at the Princeton Township Municipal Complex, the Hun School submitted its plan to conduct improvements to its campus. The plans, however, were met with concern from several residents of the quiet, mostly-residential neighborhood.

According to Board Planner Lee Solow, the plans include: the reorganization and expansion of the existing service yard and parking facilities; the replacement of an above-ground gas tank; the improvement of various pedestrian pathways and lighting landscapes; and improved screening from surrounding residential throughways.

In addition, the application called for improved signage around the campus, including a sign near the intersection of Edgerstoune and Hun roads.

The improvements to the service yard will result in the relocation of the drop-off sites for the buses, making them out-of-sight to surrounding residents. Further, 15 additional parking spaces will be made available to members of the staff who currently park on Edgerstoune and Winant roads.

However, it was the on-street parking that has been the cause of contention between the school and residents.

Isabelle Clark, of Edgerstoune Road, expressing concern about the potential increase of 15 cars in the region, said that it was simply a quick-fix for the school's increasing parking problem. She also worried that the "constant" truck traffic due to construction would disturb the otherwise quiet neighborhood.

"I'm concerned about the increase in traffic in what is predominantly a residential and historic neighborhood," she said.

Ms. Clark also wondered if Hun's parking efforts were in vain.

"Will the proposal take care of the parking situation?" she asked the panel of 10 area planners, architects, and legislators. "It's clear that down the road the Hun School will have to handle these issues."

James Byer, the headmaster of the Hun School, said that the school will simultaneously meet student and faculty needs while accommodating the needs of the neighborhood. He stressed that the school was also a member of the neighborhood.

The situation has not gone unnoticed by area residents, however, citing current vehicular pressure on the neighborhood. Colin Watts, also of Edgerstoune Road, said that while the effort by the academic institution is clear, the traffic problem cannot be solved through short-sighted initiatives.

"The Hun School has tried hard to recognize neighborhood impact, and they've done a commendable job," Mr. Watts said. "However, I'm concerned this is a situation that will continue to mount."

The improvements were in concert with the goals set forth by Hun's 20-year-old master plan, Mr. Byer said. He added that out of 550 students, approximately 150 are "eligible" to drive and that 148 students are boarders. The remaining students take the bus or are dropped off by parents.

Mr. Byer also noted that the Hun School is currently involved in a carpooling program managed by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (TMA) similar to the successful program that Princeton Day School implemented last year. The program allows TMA to place commuters into "SchoolPool," a ridesharing program where parents of school-age children can find carpools with other children. PDS officials have said that approximately 40 car pools have been established through the program.

In other business, the Planning Board meeting also served as the first with Princeton Borough Mayor Joe O'Neill on the 12-person panel. Appointed to carry out the unexpired 5-year term of Trefor Williams, former Borough Mayor Marvin Reed will remain on the Board, His term will expire January 1, 2007. Board member Wanda Gunning was named chairperson, succeeding Victoria Bergman. Ms. Bergman will serve as the Township co-chair and Gail Ullman will serve as her Borough counterpart.