The University and Borough reopened public talks about the Arts and Transit Neighborhood on Tuesday evening at the Borough Council meeting.
The meeting marked the first day of the 60-day period of University negotiations with the community about the University’s proposal to construct a new arts building in the area currently occupied by the Dinky station and commuter parking.
University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee ’69 gave a presentation in support of the University’s proposed zoning ordinance to create a new zone in the Alexander corridor explicitly allowing for proposed new uses, including theaters and studio space, a community parking lot and commercial development space.
The University is still proposing a Dinky relocation, the point of contention that temporarily ended discussions a month ago.
University Architect Ron McCoy GS ’80 said that the plan creates a “blend of campus and community” in functional and aesthetic capacities.
The plan’s parking arrangements encourage shared parking for complementary uses. Parking used for employees during the workday would be available for community and theater use in the evening.
The performance spaces would benefit both the University and broader community, Durkee said, and host performances by students and visiting faculty, who are often professional artists.
Providing the Princeton University Orchestra with a dedicated rehearsal space in the new instrumental room would free up Richardson Auditorium for University and community uses 80 times per year.
Community members, however, again raised concerns about the proposed construction. In particular, some residents questioned how effectively the plan would bring cultural benefits to the community.
“How can it be certain that a proposed development is compatible with the character of the neighborhood that it is proposed for, when it requires destroying every one of the buildings within that neighborhood, regardless of their aesthetic and historic character?” Borough resident Anne Neumann asked.
Community concerns over the project ran so long that they led Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman to insist on setting a time limit for each community member’s concerns.
According to Durkee, the zoning request is prompted by courtesy to the community and legal prudence rather than necessity.
“It would be appealing in some ways to say, ‘These are basically University lands. Why don’t we just extend the University zoning into this area?’ ” he said. “Rather than simply see it as an educational zone, why not recognize the fact that this is an area that actually ... is more than a part of the campus?”
However, University legal counsel Richard Goldman spoke after Durkee, noting that the University’s legal claim to zoning rights is a weak one.
“Any request of the zoning board [to allow the proposed plan under the existing zoning] would be very inappropriate,” he explained, “but also would be subject to challenge in court” that would lead to years of “litigation in an area where we really don’t have a strong case.”
McCoy also said that the plan would improve the area’s architectural unity with the community.
While current buildings are relatively low-rising and removed with respect to their setback distance from the street curb, administrators said, the proposed buildings would have a higher height-to-setback ratio that would be more consistent with the ratio of most buildings in the community.
Borough Council member Jo Butler called McCoy’s citations “a little bit deceiving,” because the buildings nearby the proposed site are shorter than the buildings McCoy cited as comparisons, namely the Princeton Public Library and the Arts Council, and raised complaints about the relocation of the Dinky.
“You won’t be coming back to us to say that you have to move the Dinky because you can’t have the Dinky running through your campus which you’ve now extended even further?” she asked. “I mean, now you have the Dinky running right along your performance hall.”
“Along it, not through the middle,” Durkee answered, noting that the University would not ask the community to move the station for a second time if they were to approve the University’s current proposal.
The University has already relocated the Dinky station at least once — the original tracks ran up to the area in front of Blair Arch.
Since the requested “Arts, Education and Transit” zoning district involves the Borough and Township, the University’s negotiations agreement includes negotiations with both; Township talks began Monday evening.
As the first in a series of planned talks with the Borough and Township, the negotiation schedules represent a move on the University’s part to work with the local government on the issue.
“We appreciate the opportunity to speak with the University on a cordial basis,” Borough Council member Roger Martindell said.
The Council also approved a resolution appropriating money to the University to host a conference for environmental programs for the community’s historic preservation and community services.
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