I was on the design committee that met with AvalonBay to see what areas of compromise they might be willing to make that would improve the design in terms of the community’s priorities, which are spelled out pretty clearly in the design standards. What was immediately apparent was that AvalonBay had a design that fits the AvalonBay model and that it was their intent to do things the AvalonBay way, not the Princeton way. AvalonBay has developed a brand that they believe is best for them and that they feel their customers expect – we heard that over and over. They did tweak the design here and there, and you can see those results in the chart and letters we just got. But they did not change it much. We begged for breaks in the façade along Franklin, which would both look more attractive and appear in keeping with the neighborhood and provide the open-ness that I feel the design standards are calling for. Further, when we suggested we might support an increased building height if they would go higher in the center of the site and lower around the edges, they made clear they would not do that, even if it were more convenient for their residents who might wish to live closer to the parking garage. The overriding theme was “Avalon Bay is a brand and that’s what you get.”

AvalonBay has apparently been successful around the country and even in nearby towns marketing its apartment buildings. But AvalonBay, in refusing to stray from its brand, refuses to acknowledge the distinct character of Princeton. This is clear when you look at these four design standards that were clearly disregarded:

C)2 Both existing and new building facades should be designed with variable openings that are pedestrian friendly and break up the building face

C)6 Open spaces and plazas should be inviting to the public and serve as a connection between surrounding neighborhood and any new development. [Trees and plantings should be used to define and frame pedestrian ways and open spaces as well as provide shade.]

D4) Open spaces should be designed to encourage the interaction of people living within the new development and the neighborhood. The development shall have an enhanced system of public open spaces and pathways that provide linkages between and through the evelopment as well as the surrounding neighborhood.

a) 8New construction should be concentrated in the central portion of the site and building setback should increase as building height rises

I believe these design standards are reasonable and that they’re there for a reason – to protect the character and integrity of our old-fashioned neighborhoods. The plan does not comply with them.

The Borough Council and the Township Committee have passed resolutions opposing the bill.

First and foremost, many people don’t understand that the University could build the arts campus and accommodate the Dinky station and railroad tracks but it chooses not to.  At the outset of the application process, the University asserted that it could not find a way to build its arts campus without removing the railroad tracks and that set the tone:  either the arts campus, or the Dinky; we can’t have both.  But it has become apparent that no architect or engineer will back this up and the University no longer makes this claim.  Now it states that it does not want the tracks across its property and sometimes gives reasoning that it wants access to one of its parking garages from Alexander Road.  If you look at the University’s drawing, posted  on the Save the Dinky website, you can see that in the plan as presented to the Borough Council during the rezoning hearings, the Arts Campus clearly can accommodate the train tracks.

Second, there is a significant easement and a public right-of-way for rail use on the University-owned property in question.  The public’s interest in preserving the use of the Dinky in its present location is not, as some argue, a “desire” – currently it is a right.  New Jersey Transit, a public agency, owns the easement and rail right-of-way on the University’s land.  Easements and rights-of-way give property rights to people other than the property owner and are quite common, especially when it comes to railroads.  Normally they are not given up easily, because they can be quite valuable.  I believe the convenience that the Dinky provides us in its present location, both for present commuters and for the purpose of a possible future light-rail connection to Nassau Street, is an asset to Princeton residents that shouldn’t be given up merely for the convenience of Princeton University.

Third, the present Dinky station area was well designed with travelers in mind.  It is more convenient for those walking and driving from town than the proposed relocated Dinky.  It is connected by sidewalk to Nassau Street.  It is fast and easy for drivers, who can zip to the station without having to traverse Alexander Road.  Unlike the proposed station, it is designed for quick drop-offs as you can pull in and out again without having to go through lights or navigate a parking lot.

Fourth, the property in question was purchased by the University from New Jersey Transit in 1984 with the easement and right-of-way encumbering it.  At the time of sale there was no discussion of abandoning rail uses.  There are many people who were around when the purchase took place and there is no evidence that moving the tracks and station off the land was anticipated.  Find out for yourself:  Ask an old timer!  Or look at New Jersey Transit minutes of the decision.

Fifth, the proposed station eliminates the “kiss and ride” lot where you can let off passengers and pull out again, and where you pull in to wait for passengers to arrive. Currently both Princeton Junction and the Dinky station have dedicated spaces for this, which are constantly used.  The proposed station does not include dedicated spaces – instead we will have to use shared Wawa spaces.

Sixth, the new location will add new traffic to Alexander Road.  Contrary to what some believe, the University has not claimed that the new location will improve traffic congestion, only that it will improve traffic flow through the Alexander Road intersection.  However, moving the Dinky adds the Dinky traffic to the new intersection and dumps this additional traffic onto Alexander Road.

Seventh, much of the most convenient McCarter Theater parking will be moved further away for theatergoers.  The proposed development takes away the best theater parking.  McCarter patrons who fail to arrive early enough to get the closest parking will likely have to park in the Lot 7 parking garage and either make the hike or take a shuttle.  It also adds a longer trek for McCarter performers coming from New York.

Eighth, the new location adds, at the least, four minutes of travel time for daily commuters.  For walkers, it means about 500 feet each way, including a challenging set of stairs and crossing the Wawa driveway, and for drivers, it means three additional intersections plus navigating a parking lot.  While this time may seem de minimus, for commuters, who count daily minutes, it is not.  In aggregate, the monetary value of this time for present and future Princeton commuters has untold value.

Ninth, Increasing the walking distance will decrease Dinky ridership among walkers.  Although it may seem logical to dismiss a distance of “only 500 feet,” science and objective analysis predicts that moving the station farther away from the population center will decrease ridership.

Last, the Dinky is a cherished historic site in large part because it is still a functioning train station.  Riding the Dinky from its current location, using the station designed with loving improvements by the late Mayor Barbara Sigmund, connects the present with the past each time one rides the Dinky.  The Dinky is a Princeton icon and contributes to our unique charm and small town identity.

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Note:  thanks to  Save the Dinky for much of this information.  Visit their website to learn more.

Jenny Crumiller

Hello Internet! Thank you for visiting my website.

Thank you for electing me to the new Princeton Council! I look forward to serving you. I would love to hear from you.   Click here if you’d like to contact me by email or phone.  

In addition to posting information for campaign purposes, I maintain this website as a personal website, occasionally posting links and information pertaining to my council work and other projects.

From the Mercer County Clerk’s Office

Two campaign helpers walked around with sandwhich board signs.

Jon and I are giving organic composting it a try!

Princeton is trying out a program for residential pickup of organic waste.  Residents are given a designated garbage can and a bucket for use inside to collect organic waste, and it’s picked up once a week and carried to a composting center.  Unlike most home composting, this program allows all organic waste to be composted, including meat, fat and bones.  In the Township, residents can sign up for this program as part of their private garbage pickup.  Borough residents, whose garbage is picked up by the municipality, can sign up to help promote the program for $20 a month.  We’re hoping to demonstrate the viability of a program so that next year, when we consolidate and all residents will be served by the municipality, we might have the option of offering residential composting.

Information below is from  this flyer (pdf)

Why Join?

• Eye Opener! You will see your trash in a whole new light!

o Many homes have cut their regular trash pick up in half!
o 60 tons of food/organic waste saved from landfills since June 2011

• Save Municipal Money on trash disposal fees!

o 60 tons = $7,500 saved since June 2011!

• It’s the Future of waste hauling. Landfills are full/closing all over the U.S.
• Free Items to all participants!

o A kitchen collector and food waste bags for collector
o Curbside food/organic waste container – it’s green and on wheels!
o Compost available in Spring 2012

• Easy to Do, not icky!

Sign Up TODAY!

• Costs: Township residents: $30/month for trash and food waste; $20 for food waste pick up only. Borough residents: $20/month for food waste pick up only.

• Email or call Janet Pellichero at the Twp. Public Works Department: jpellichero@princeton-township.nj.us  609-688-2566

For more information about Princeton’s curbside food waste program, see www.sustainableprinceton.org

Currently, the taxpaying public benefits from a large right of way and easement for transit use that encumbers Princeton University property where the Dinky station, train tracks and parking lot currently exist.  Shown below, the right-of-way and easement is held by New Jersey Transit. The right of way my colleagues and I hope to retain for the public benefit is only a small portion.

I believe that if New Jersey Transit cedes this right of way, it is giving away a valuable real estate asset that is currently held in the public domain. Doing so would not be in the public interest.

As you can see from the outlines of the buildings, the existing track and Dinky station would not impede the proposed arts buildings.  The current parking lot area does interfere with a building, but the right-of-way in our ordinance is smaller and narrower to facilitate the tracks and station only, ceding the parking lot to make way for University buildings. (see the last page of the ordinance).

Download agenda and meeting documents for Feb 7th meeting.