Princeton’s Humbert Street Project Moves Forward

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Planning Board voted yes on the site plan for 23-25 Humbert Street on July 1 with additional conditions and variances to be met by the builders.

The conditions include the use of air conditioning systems that minimize noise, the applicant should replace the sidewalk on Humbert Street along the entire lot frontage and constriction work will not begin before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m., and no construction work on weekends, without approval.

Metuchen-based Simplify Living Inc. is planning to build three-unit multifamily townhomes on the site. The units will have two stories, a basement and will include two off-street parking spaces per unit.

“I am glad to see three dwellings coming in here and thank you to the applicant and all of your professionals I know you put a ton of time into this,” said planning board member Louise Wilson. She said her approval was a "reluctant yes."

During May’s planning board meeting, the developers were asked to revise their plan to include "variances that were necessary." They presented their new plan to the board on July 1.

Read More Here: Princeton Planning Board Delays Decision On Humbert St. Project

However, many residents said two homes were more suited for the site than building three units.

Ann Ross, who lives on 20 Humbert Street, across from the proposed site said she chose to move to Princeton for its “quaintness and charm,” but that could be compromised due to the three units. “Jamming three into two... It’s not the right thing to do. One of the important things for residents is to have an outside green area and open space,” said Ross.

“This could really compromise the integrity of the street and aesthetics on the street. It will look jammed in.”

Councilwoman and planning board member Mia Sacks said the township was “desperately” in need of creating housing in the “middle swath throughout the town.”

She said she understood the concerns of those living nearby, “but looking at the big picture at what we need as a town and where we need to go, we need smart growth – that's what this is.” She said she was “impressed” at the architect for smartly placing the housing in a way that maintains the “character of the neighborhood.”

Timothy Quinn planning board member, said there was place for one other unit. “I support this one additional unit. I don’t think it will compromise the character of the neighborhood,” he said. “There is substantial good in this application.”

Planning board member Jeffrey Oakman said he was “skeptical” of the application at first. “In listening to the discussion I realized this is a unique condition here and an opportunity for something in a way that makes sense. I don’t think it's creating a horrible precedence and we are going to see a lot of this kind of developments around town in places where aren’t appropriate.”

The units will be for rental purposes and are expected to be built on high sustainability standards. Their location on Humbert Street would be a walkable distance to downtown Princeton.

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