The Princeton Planning Board has approved applicant 245 Nassau LLC’s application to construct a 95-unit apartment building at 245-247 Nassau St.
The Planning Board’s approval of the application at its Nov. 5 meeting clears the way for the demolition of two buildings on the property, which will be replaced with a four-story apartment building.
In addition to demolishing the buildings, trees must be cut down, including a Gingko tree that is estimated to be about 150 years old. Four smaller trees will be planted in its place to comply with the town’s tree replacement ordinance. Additional trees will be planted in town to make up for the ones being cut down.
Although 95 apartments are planned for the building, there will be 75 parking spaces in a parking garage underneath the building. The parking spaces include handicapped accessible parking stalls and electric vehicle parking spaces. There will be indoor storage for 100 bicycles.
When Mayor Mark Freda pointed out at the Oct. 15 Planning Board meeting that there are 75 parking spaces for 95 apartments, traffic engineer Georges Jacquemart replied that not every tenant will own a car. The building is near Princeton University and the center of town.
Of the 95 apartments, 19 will be set aside for low- and moderate-income households. It will help the town to meet its state-mandated obligation to provide its fair share of affordable housing.
The breakdown of affordable apartments constitutes three one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments and four three-bedroom apartments.
The market rate apartments include 18 studio apartments; 31 one-bedroom apartments and 10 one-bedroom apartments with a den; two two-bedroom apartments and 11 two-bedroom apartments with a den; and four three-bedroom apartments.
To qualify for the affordable apartments, a one-person household can earn up to $29,250 for very-low income and up to $49,200 for a low-income apartment. A one-person moderate-income household can earn up to $78,720.
For a four-person household to qualify for affordable housing, it may earn up to $42,150 for very-low income and up to $70,250 for low-income housing. A four-person household can earn a maximum of $112,400 to qualify for moderate-income housing.
When the meeting was opened for public comment, two Princeton residents – both of whom belong to Princeton GROWS – spoke in support of the application. Princeton GROWS advocates for “a vibrant, cohesive and sustainable Princeton community where people from all walks of life can afford to live and thrive,” according to its website.
Dipali Desai said she supports the building at 245 Nassau St. because it provides much needed housing in Princeton. It also follows the principles of Smart Growth, where increasing density in an-already built infrastructure helps preserve open space and reduces greenhouse gases.
“Princeton has its share of single family housing for all. This compact, well-designed, more energy-efficient building would provide the diversity in housing we need. I also represent the preferences of my Gen Z children. They want smaller, efficient homes that cost less to heat and they care deeply about the environmental footprint of where they live,” Desai said.
Miles Franklin, who also lives in Princeton and belongs to Princeton GROWS, offered his support for the development. He also questioned the need to remove about 86 trees on the site to make room for the apartment building. While it may go against the goals of the Shade Tree Commission, “it definitely contributes toward our goal of more housing,” he said.
“I think both goals need to be balanced against each other. I would like to say for the record that nobody cheers when a tree is cut down. But we should remember that in this instance, we are losing trees for the sake of welcoming new neighbors and allowing current neighbors to relocate in ways that reflect their current needs in life,” Franklin said.
About half of the trees to be removed will be replaced by new trees on site, and the remainder will be planted around town.
