Princeton Council Adopts Ordinance For Housing Redevelopment

PRINCETON, NJ — The town council on Monday voted in favor of two ordinances adopting redevelopment plans for affordable housing developments near Princeton Shopping Center.

The two properties are located on North Harrison Street and North Harrison and Terhune Road.

The council had designated the Princeton Shopping Center and adjacent parcels in need of redevelopment as the Harrison Terhune Redevelopment Area.

The shopping center and stores within will not be affected by the ordinances and the development plan. There are no plans to demolish the shopping center.

The Harrison Terhune Redevelopment Plan will help the township meet its court-mandated fair share of affordable housing.

Developers AvalonBay will build housing on the south end of the site which is currently a parking lot. The multi-family project allows up to 200 units, 40 of which should be affordable housing. The north end will have no more than 130 units with a minimum of 20 percent affordable housing.

The redevelopment plan hopes to revitalize the Princeton Shopping Center. The housing will bring in renewed activity in the area, helping local businesses.

“The Planning Board felt very strongly that this proposal was in accordance with the Master Plan,” said Planning Director Michael LaPlace.

He said the redevelopment plan encourages green space and sustainable development.

“It also gives us the opportunity as a community to look at this important destination – the Princeton Shopping Center with new eyes after 70 years since it was first constructed,” LaPlace said.

The housing development will also include outdoor bicycle parking facilities, which will be weather protected.

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