Discussions Extended for an Uncontested Portion of Snowden Lane Sidewalk System

Matthew Hersh

While Township Committee all but approved an unchallenged section of a sidewalk system on Snowden Lane, the governing body decided to extend the public hearing into December so it could weigh in with those residents who are challenging a separate part of that system.

Committee held a preliminary public hearing Monday night for an ordinance that would authorize the installation of sidewalks and driveway curbcuts on the western side of Snowden Lane between Braeburn Drive and Franklin Avenue. Seventy-five percent of the total $17,500 pricetag will be assessed to the homes that lie along that stretch of roadway.

While residents have not challenged that segment of Snowden's sidewalk installation and repairs, Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand suggested the public hearing be extended to December 6 to coincide with the hotly-debated topic of installing sidewalks on the western side of Snowden between Franklin and Hamilton avenues.

"Right now, we are looking at all of Snowden Lane and I think it would be in the best interest of [the residents] if we wait and see how the rest of that street in our community is going to go."

She added that while the Braeburn-Franklin segment of Snowden will be repaired as planned, she worried other issues might come up that affect other sidewalk construction plans nearby.

Robert Kiser, Township Engineer, has said that the Princeton Community Master Plan outlines a plan for a comprehensive sidewalk system on Snowden that would run from Princeton-Kingston Road to Herrontown Road. Snowden Lane residents argue that the Master Plan does not specifically address the issue of pedestrian mobility along the roadway. In broader terms, the Master Plan outlines a goal to "develop a continuous pedestrian...system throughout the community."

The Master Plan does specifically suggest that safety improvements along Snowden Lane are "required." Those improvements include widening to 12-foot traffic lanes with shoulders.

Despite a Committee that has remained decidedly neutral on the issue, the Township Police Department has provided studies that suggest there is a pedestrian danger present on the roadway.

Residents in the contested portion of Snowden have said they feel safe walking along the side of the road and that the road lends itself to more careful driving. The street was also at one time a bucolic roadway with scattered housing and some of the older houses closer to Princeton-Kingston Road have shallow lawns that are close to the roadside. Residents have feared that installing sidewalks will bring their houses too close to passing pedestrians.

Last Thursday, the Township Shade Tree Commission discussed the removal of several trees that stand in the path of the proposed walkway between Franklin and Hamilton avenues. Greg O'Neil, the Township arborist, has said that several of the trees are ill and will need to be removed even if no sidewalk is put in place.

Committeeman Bernie Miller, liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, said there is a concern about removing the trees, while preserving the tree canopy on Snowden Lane, adding that should trees be removed, there will be "extensive replanting or relocation" if a sidewalk is installed.

Ettl Farm

In other news, two representatives from the Ettl Farm Homeowners Association delivered a presentation before Committee asking to upgrade various street signage throughout the development. The two homeowners, David Vale of Stone Cliff Road, and Jonathan Frieder, also of Ettl Farm, asked Committee for permission to replace Princeton Township standard street signs of green background and white lettering, with specially-designed signs with black background and gold lettering. Citing damaged signs, the two also asked to upgrade the street sign poles with more ornate designs.

Ettl Farm homeowners would pay the entire cost of any new signage and future maintenance, they said.

Committee was split on the proposal. Committeemen Bill Hearon and Bernie Miller endorsed the idea, saying it did not separate the neighborhood from the rest of the community and would simply create a more attractive setting.

"I appreciate your wanting to care for the neighborhood and that you're willing to not just offer lip service, but you're really putting money into it," Mr. Hearon said.

Mayor Marchand, Deputy Mayor Bill Enslin, and Committeewoman Casey Hegener were not as receptive to the proposal, however, saying the signs would indicate exclusivity, setting Ettl Farm apart from the rest of the Township.

Ms. Marchand worried it would set a precedent for other neighborhoods to take the same initiatives, citing the new development on Drakes Corner Road.

Mr. Frieder said allowing Ettl Farm to proceed with the plans could help the Township set an example for future developments interested in taking similar action.

Mr. Enslin sided with the mayor, indicating a reluctance for any development to deviate from the Township standards. "I hate squelching creativity, but by the same token, I think it opens the community up to a trend that I'm not particularly in favor of: which is enclaves of different homeowner associations with their own identification.

"Somehow, the larger community loses out," he added.

Township Police Chief Anthony Gaylord added that from a patrol standpoint, private roads are normally indicated by black signs with white lettering and public roads by signs with green background and white lettering. Since Ettl Farm roadways are public rights-of-way, he worried it would confuse the standard.

Ultimately, Messrs. Frieder and Vale said they would find a compromise, possibly using different designs, but sticking with the Township's standard roadsign colors. They will deliver a revised proposal before Committee after they go back and meet with the homeowners.