Discussion On Princeton's Prospect Ave. Plan Scheduled Thursday

Princeton NJ

22 September, 2021

2:55 PM

Description

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University's contentious Prospect Avenue application will be discussed at Thursday's Planning Board meeting. When the board met on July 8, they decided to postpone the discussion to September and dedicate the entire meeting to the application. A final decision is expected to be made at Thursday's meeting. Princeton University plans to move the Court Clubhouse, a former eating club currently on 91 Prospect Avenue, across the street to the site of the three nineteenth-century homes. The Court Clubhouse land will then be used as part of the Environmental Science (ES) and School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). But the plan has met with strong opposition from residents who are against the demolition of the homes. According to residents, "many luminaries" lived there. The Township's Historic Preservation Committee said they cannot approve Princeton University's development plan in June. "I think the entrance to the ES+SEAS building the way it's conceived seems very problematic. I don't think we can recommend the university moving forward without considering available land nearby and leaving the club where it is," Julie Capozzoli, Chair of Historic Preservation Committee said. Related Coverage: Petition Urges Princeton U. To Not Demolish Three Historic Homes Princeton U. Defends Prospect Avenue Plan As Resistance Mounts Princeton U. Prospect Ave Plan Not Endorsed At Special Meeting Princeton's Prospect Avenue Plan Discussion Postponed By 2 Months Princeton U. Says Will Demolish 91 Prospect If Plan Not Approved Princeton Residents Form Coalition For Responsible Development Despite the backlash, the University has doubled down on its decision, saying that 91 Prospect, the location of Court Clubhouse, is not subject to state and federal review, and the three houses are not in any historic district "so there is no regulatory control over them." The University said if the application was not approved, it would have to demolish the structure on 91 Prospect Avenue. "If the application is approved 91 Prospect will have a new home, if it's not approved 91 Prospect will be demolished — which will be unfortunate because the University has gone through great lengths to try to save it," Christopher DeGrezia, a lawyer representing the University said at a Planning Board meeting held in June. Residents have circulated a petition urging the university to reconsider its proposal. The Princeton Prospect Foundation even put together a 19-page presentation on the University's proposal and argued against moving Court Clubhouse across the street. Thursday's meeting will be dedicated to discussing only the Prospect Avenue proposal. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. For details on the application and how to log in for the meeting, click here. Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.