A public presentation has been set for Aug. 5 to review the draft Design Guidelines for Historic Districts, covering properties in Princeton’s 21 municipal historic districts.
The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. in the main meeting room at the Witherspoon Hall municipal building at 400 Witherspoon St.
The proposed guidelines were prepared by a review committee consisting of a consultant, members of the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission, municipal staff, and elected officials.
Work on the guidelines, which are intended to help protect the town’s architectural and historic resources, has been in process since June 2025, officials said.
“The Municipality of Princeton recognizes that preserving historic properties and communities ensures the protection of a community’s character while enhancing property values,” according to the guidelines introduction.
Community members who are interested in understanding the 21 local historic districts or who want to know how to care for historic properties will find the guidelines to be helpful, officials said.
The proposed Design Guidelines for Historic Districts should be used by developers or property owners planning new construction or renovations, as well as by architects, designers and contractors preparing project proposals.
“It is an informational and guidance document to assist anyone who may be submitting or reviewing an application or scope of work within a historic district,” said Historic Preservation Officer Sara Quinlan.
“The guidelines are intended to provide recommendations and context for the Historic Preservation Commission’s review requirements and processes, based on established historic preservation best practices. They are meant to supplement the existing ordinance and the requirements for a preservation plan review,” Quinlan said.
The review requirements for changes not visible from the street or public right-of-way are determined by whether the property is in a Type 1 or Type 2 district. Type 1 districts are in the former Princeton Township and Type 2 districts are in the former Princeton Borough. The town consolidated into the Municipality of Princeton in 2013.
Quinlan said the HPC reviews changes to a property in a Type 1 district based on the visibility from anywhere within the district or the public right-of-way. However, in a Type 2 district, the HPC only reviews changes that are visible from the street or public right-of-way.
The proposed guidelines includes a chapter that discusses architectural style and paint colors. It walks the reader through the architectural styles of buildings in Princeton, beginning with buildings that were constructed in the late 1600s.
There are chapters on flood mitigation, exterior maintenance, roofing, exterior woodwork, masonry and stucco, porches and stoops, and windows and doors.
There are also chapters on site and landscape design, additions to buildings, new construction, demolition, and guidelines for commercial storefronts.
Feedback will be accepted through Aug. 24. Residents who want to comment on the draft guidelines can do so by going to the Municipality of Princeton’s homepage under News and Announcements, or by going to the HPC webpage, the Planning Department’s webpage or the Office of Historic Preservation’s webpage.
