Princeton Today: The Future of the Witherspoon Street Corridor

The Princeton Council will discuss two important issues tonight related to development and preservation.

The council will review the stewardship plan to protect the Princeton Ridge, an environmentally sensitive area that extends westward from the Millstone River and the Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park across the northern part of Princeton into Hopewell. The Ridge’s forest and wetland habitats have been identified as among the most important and environmentally sensitive areas in the region. Its mature forests are home to numerous endangered and threatened species, among them the Wood Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle, Cooper’s Hawk and Barred Owl.

The council will also discuss the Witherspoon Street Corridor. The governing body is considering changing the zoning for the corridor to allow for more density and to lower the number of parking spaces needed for new construction. One supporter of the changes is architect J. Robert Hillier, who has bought more than 16 properties in the neighborhood. Supporters of the changes argue that more density will mean more affordable housing and a more walkable Princeton. Opponents argue that the Witherspoon neighborhood already has more density than any other area and allowing more units per property will only cause prices to go up more.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the main meeting room at the town municipal building at 44 Witherspoon Street. Prior to the public session, the council will meet in closed session to discuss the hiring of a new administrator to replace Bob Bruschi and to discuss town committee and commission appointments. The town is expected to make an offer to a candidate for the administrator position this week. Two administrators who currently serve in New Jersey towns and Kathy Monzo, the deputy administrator for Princeton, are the finalists for the job.

EVENTS

silveshopSilver Sale – The Silver Shop of Princeton, the oldest store on Palmer Square, has closed. The entire contents of the Princeton shop specializing in silver for more than 75 years will be sold. Exhibition of silver, estate and vintage jewelry, watches, holloware, porcelain, glass, and more. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Auctions in Philadelphia on September 27 and 28, and October 11 and 12, both at 11 a.m.,

Music Together Community Class – Children ages 5 to 7 can sing, dance, jingle, jam and explore a variety of instruments during this free community class. 4:30 p.m., Princeton Montessori School, 487 Cherry Valley Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, Free.

Princeton Tech Meetup – Meetup with branding and marketing expert Luna Vega. 6:45 p.m. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. $5 fee covers pizza and beverages. Register here.

WEATHER

Mostly sunny with a high of 70.

COMMUTE

In Lawrence, Bakers Basin Road is scheduled to be closed to through traffic September 22 to September 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Milling and
resurfacing work will continue on Pennington- Lawrenceville Road (County Route 546) from Federal City Road to U.S. Route 206. Mercer County anticipates that this work will take approximately twenty working days, weather permitting. New Jersey American Water is reconstructing Route 206 between the Fackler Road Extension and Province Line Road as part of a water main project the company completed last year. The work is being done mostly from 9 .m. to 6 a.m. The work will take about 4 weeks to complete.

In South Brunswick, avoid Davidson Mill Road between Fresh Ponds Road and Rt 535 (Cranbury South River Rd.) due to paving until 4p.m. One lane will be open.

IN THE NEWS

Streep and Roth, Death and Music