Robert Durkee | Town Topics

Land Use Bill Prompts Comments From Durkee

Princeton University vice president and secretary Robert Durkee spoke about strains in town-gown relations at Monday evening’s Township Committee meeting.

The occasion was a Committee vote on proposed state legislation regarding private universities and the zoning process. If passed, Senate Bill 1534 and Assembly Bill A2586 would exempt private universities from land use law; Princeton University, Rider University, and other private educational institutions of higher learning would no longer require approvals from municipalities to launch development projects, enabling them to proceed more quickly with their plans.

Citing the University’s inability “to pull up stakes” like other developers and move elsewhere, Mr. Durkee described the University’s “good history” of working with the Princeton Planning Board. Suggesting that the bill originated in other areas of New Jersey, he noted that even if it becomes law, the University would continue to consult with the Planning Board about future growth.

Later that evening, Township Committee unanimously voted to oppose the legislation.

In his comments, Mr. Durkee thanked Committee members for the opportunity to speak; there had been no chance for public comment before Borough Council’s vote not to endorse the new legislation, he said.

Mr. Durkee referred to recent developments,” that have been “cause for serious concern.” He described the year-long struggle, largely with Borough Council, before the new Arts and Transportation neighborhood could even be proposed, and worried that, despite consolidation, some members of the new governing board will be current members of Borough Council who would continue “to politicize the planning process.”

While agreeing that the Township has enjoyed a positive professional relationship with the University and that the lines of communication should remain open, Mayor Chad Goerner responded to Mr. Durkee’s comments by citing the need for having “checks and balances in place.” Residents, who come to Princeton “for a reason,” don’t pull up stakes, either, he observed.

Area activist Kip Cherry spoke in support of Mr. Goerner’s comments, describing the bill as “a proposed declaration of war against land use planning.”

The Senate bill is sponsored by Senators Paul Sario (D-Passaic) and Robert Singer (R-Monmouth). In the Assembly, the bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Celeste Riley (D-Salem) and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (D-Passaic). The bills could be voted on as early as the end of June.

University Submits Plans to Board For Arts Neighborhood Site Plan

Princeton University last week submitted documents to the Regional Planning Board detailing plans for its arts and transit neighborhood. Included are modified plans for the Lewis Center for the Arts, to be designed by architect Steven Holl, the new Dinky station and Wawa market to be designed by architect Rick Joy, and Mr. Joy’s plans for the existing Dinky station buildings, which the University intends to turn into a restaurant and cafe.

This is the University’s first official submission to the Planning Board for site plan approval. Concept discussions have been held in the past, but submissions could not be made until zoning was in place. “This set of plans is one generation beyond the ones that we described in February,” said Robert Durkee, University vice president and secretary.

One new aspect of the plan involves the University’s purchase of the house at 152 Alexander Street. The building will be demolished during the construction process, Mr. Durkee said. “This gives us a lot more flexibility. It works better,” he said.

The other changes have to do with the existing Dinky station buildings and the one to be designed 460 feet to the south. “What we’ve heard from people is that they like having the idea of having the Wawa in the station building, but don’t like the idea of the waiting area in the Wawa,” Mr Durkee said of the plans for the new building. “So the architect has said that we’ll connect the waiting area and the Wawa with a nice outdoor waiting area. You can get back and forth but they’re separate.”

The southernmost of the two existing station buildings will have an addition on its eastern side. An outdoor seating area will be framed by the original portion of the building and the addition. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking with restaurant operators and looking at the design of those two buildings to make them work,” Mr. Durkee said.

While he declined to name the restaurants being considered for the station buildings, Mr. Durkee did say they all are local. “Our goal was to end up with someone already in the Princeton area, who knows the area. And we’re very confident that will happen.”