Matthew Hersh

After a second meeting between University officials and residents of the Murray Place neighborhood, and with a draft ordinance in place, Borough Council is slated to introduce a measure tonight that would allow an increase in development rights within the University's Engineering Quadrangle, otherwise known as the "E-Quad."

Several concessions were made on both sides, leaving the ordinance uncontested, as proposed.

The University seeks an additional 100,000 square feet of development on the E-Quad, zoned in the Borough as the E-3 district. Approval for expansion, which includes a 50-foot heavily landscaped buffer, would require the use of a jitney transportation system to shuttle employees and students to the Engineering School.

But it was not until a recent development --- the maintaining of a 250-foot development setback abutting Murray Place to the east --- that residents were wholly satisfied with the University's plans. The setback bans any construction in the area between Prospect Avenue and Nassau Street and extending as far west as Olden Street.

In addition to the 250-foot setback, the draft ordinance prepared for Council's review tonight includes the following: a cap on any future expansion on the E-Quad site; a cap on the number of E-Quad parking spaces (405 in a garage on-site and 243 surface spaces); the use of a jitney to bring faculty, staff, and students from offsite to the E-Quad to discourage additional car use; increased buffer landscaping; and that the Von Neumann building, which lies closest to Murray Place and within the 250-foot buffer, is to maintain current height, footprint, and lighting if it is renovated or rebuilt. Additionally, if it is to be removed, it cannot be replaced with another building.

Martin Schneiderman, a resident of Murray Place who was a central figure in the effort against the University, said he was pleased about both the outcome and the way the residents and the University were able to broker a deal.

"Instead of us standing up and saying that we oppose the ordinance, we will be there prepared to say we support it," he said, adding that this could serve as a "model" for other University towns looking to achieve similar goals.

Robert Durkee, vice president and secretary at the University, said an expansion within the E-3 is needed to increase the Engineering School's research and teaching capacity. The School's most urgent development prospects, according to Mr. Durkee, include expanding the Operations, Research, and Financial Engineering (ORFE) department and finding additional space for work conducted at the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM).