Housing - Both communities have made significant strides in complying with their affordable housing requirements. Preserving the diversity of housing in Princeton remains a challenge, and both communities have undertaken major efforts to preserve and expand their affordable housing stock.

A total of 38 affordable housing units were constructed in the Township since the 1995 re-exam, and 11 low and moderate income units rehabilitated. The completion of the final 68 units in Griggs Farm resulted in 22 affordable housing units and the construction of Karin Court provided 16 additional units. The Township continues its policy of purchasing affordable units when a qualified buyer is not immediately available and then reselling the units to a qualified individual. This policy ensures that affordable units remain a part of the community's housing stock. The Township requires contributions for affordable housing from all new developments. The Township has signed a regional contribution agreement with the City of Trenton that provided funding for 23 affordable units (total cost $460,000).

In the Borough of Princeton, a total of 12 new housing units were constructed with the completion of the units on Shirley Court and Maclean Street. Six of these units (3 at each site) are affordable housing units. The Borough also funded rehabilitation of 20 affordable units at Franklin and Maple Terrace. The Borough continues to receive revenues into its Affordable Housing Trust fund.

Both the Borough and Township continue to focus on the housing needs of our senior residents. A new assisted living facility was constructed in the Township and the Quarry Street Nursing home has started construction of a new facility in the Township. Both communities have taken steps to permit the construction of 68 low-income age restricted units located on land in both the Borough and Township behind Elm Court. Discussions continue on strategies to provide additional age-restricted housing.

Protecting existing neighborhoods from incompatible development continues to be a concern. Pressure on the scale and integrity of residential neighborhoods has increased in recent years, and both communities have seen smaller homes torn down and replaced with larger homes. Applications for in-fill development have increased, and ensuring new development that is harmonious with existing neighborhoods remains a concern.

Traffic Circulation - Due to Princeton's central location, the community continues to be heavily impacted by increasing regional traffic. A cooperative effort between Princeton, neighboring communities, the county, state, and regional authorities is essential to expand efficiently the regional road system to handle the expected traffic volumes. Through our efforts the NJDOT established the Central New Jersey Transportation Forum, which brings local elected officials together to discuss regional development and circulation issues.

Both communities have taken steps to channel regional traffic away from Princeton by lowering posted speed limits and reducing truck weight limits where appropriate. The Borough has implemented a number of traffic calming strategies to slow vehicle speed on Mercer, Hodge, and Prospect Streets.

In 1995 and 1996, our central transportation policy was to shift the burden of through traffic away from the residential areas and the congested core of Princeton by assembling an informal peripheral roadway system around the community. This policy remains valid today. However, the lack of any progress on Route 92 raises concerns whether this strategy can be implemented.

Concerns have also been raised regarding NJDOT's proposal for a new overpass and alignment of Washington Road at Route 1. This new alignment may exacerbate existing traffic problems by directing more traffic into the heart of Princeton and may also cause significant environmental damage. An Environmental Impact Statement is currently underway for this project.

Developing alternative means of transportation remains an unmet objective. A comprehensive bikeway study is currently underway, and a committee consisting of local elected officials and public and private schools is discussing ways of reducing the number of children driven to school. The Mercer County Transportation Management Association (TMA) was consulted to examine the feasibility of providing a jitney bus service in Princeton. However, concern over cost has prevented the implementation of any service. The TMA also worked on a program to provide free bicycles in various locations throughout the community as a way to reduce vehicle trips.

The Borough commissioned a study on several key downtown intersections and examined ways to reduce traffic bottlenecks and ease traffic congestion. As a result, construction plans are being prepared to enlarge the intersection of Witherspoon and Wiggins Streets. A new traffic light has been installed at Paul Robeson Place and John Street.

The Borough has also completed a study on the design and financial feasibility of constructing a parking garage on Borough owned surface parking lots in the downtown area. Both of these studies could have significant impacts on local traffic circulation. The feasibility of jitney service and peripheral parking for central business district employees must be investigated further.

Economic Development - Both the Borough's central business district and the Township's shopping center remain economically healthy. These areas have seen recent renovations to existing stores and infrastructure. Efforts to facilitate the provision of adequate parking in the Borough's business district remains a high priority, and Borough Council has recently taken steps to provide for a new parking garage in the CBD. The construction of a new parking garage with additional development in the heart of the downtown could have significant impacts on the community. The continued economic well-being of both these areas remains an important objective of the Master Plan.

In addition to these two core areas, redevelopment and increased activity has begun to occur along the Neighborhood Business and Service Business zones along Nassau Street in the Borough. In the Township, additional office development has occurred in the office zones along Bunn Drive and in the service zones along Alexander Road and Route 206 in the northern portion of the Township.

Environment - The community made major strides in furthering the many environmental goals and objectives found in the Master Plan. Chief among these was the passage of open space taxes in both the Borough and Township The Borough tax will raise over $100,000 and the Township tax over $450,000 annually. The tax rate in the Borough is one cent per one hundred dollars to assessed value and two cents per one hundred dollars in the Township. These taxes provide stable sources of funding for acquisition and preservation of land. The Township has been very successful leveraging municipal funds with state, county, and private donations to secure over 900 acres of land. Additional lands have been permanently preserved through the subdivision and site plan process. Lands preserved include the Institute Woods, Mountain Lakes/Tusculum (addition), R.W. Johnson property, Coventry Farm, Fieldwood, Woodfield Reservation (addition), Smoyer Park and various private open spaces in the Ettl Farm, Fieldwood, and Rushbrook developments. With these recent acquisition the community is very close to meeting its goal of preserving 25 percent of our land as open space.

In addition to acquisition, both communities passed ordinances restricting the cutting and clearing of trees.

The Township witnessed the construction of a new golf course on 212 acres of land that has become a model for other communities in terms of turf and pesticide management. The development of the golf course helps preserve from development almost 200 acres of land.

Historic Preservation - The Princeton Community has identified the majority of the historic properties and sites within the community. Our focus continues to be protecting historic sites and properties. A new historic district, the King's Highway, has been placed on the State and National registers. This district includes portions of Route 27 and Route 206 through Princeton. Cottage Club on Prospect Street in the Borough was placed on the National Register. The Borough passed an ordinance to establish buffer/transition zones around historic properties. The Township is currently negotiating to purchase the Gulick Farm which contains one of the oldest buildings in Princeton. Both communities have been designated as certified local governments by the State Office of Historic Preservation.

Recreation/Open Space - The community made major strides in meeting the goals and objectives of the open space and recreation element. The passage of an open space taxes in the Borough and Township have provided a stable sources of funding for acquisition and preservation of land. Since the 1995 Reexamination over 900 acres of land have been permanently preserved through acquisition in fee and/or conservation easements as well as through the dedication of open space during the subdivision and site plan process. These lands include the Institute Woods, R.W. Johnson property, Coventry Farm, Fieldwood, Woodfield Reservation (addition), Smoyer Park and various private open spaces that have been permanently preserved. Planning is currently underway to construct 5 to 8 play fields on portions of some of these lots.

Community Facilities - With the passage of an $80 million building referendum in 2001 the Princeton Regional Schools established a policy calling for major renovations and additions of all the existing school sites. The School Board has determined that all future school needs will be met within the existing school sites. A remaining question is the status of the Valley Road building.

Both communities addressed shortcomings in their existing municipal buildings. The Borough undertook major renovations to their existing space and the Township is constructing a new building.

A new and larger library will be constructed at the current library's location on Witherspoon and Wiggins Streets. This decision ensures that the library provides a vibrant anchor for this corner of the downtown for many years to come.

The Borough Council has decided that a parking garage should be constructed on the Park and Shop lot of Witherspoon Street to provide additional parking in the downtown. The Council is currently evaluating the financial implication of constructing a municipal parking garage. Once constructed, this facility will provide parking in the downtown area.

Energy Conservation - The recently passed school bond referendum will permit the Princeton Regional Schools to install new energy-efficient features throughout the schools. Princeton University has constructed a co-generation plant to help meet its energy needs.

The Planning Board continues to evaluate proposed development regarding building location, height bulk and shadows.

Regional Development - Development in communities surrounding Princeton continues to have a major impact upon the Princeton community. The Route 1 corridor from I-295 to Route 130 has developed into a major retail and office center. Since our 1995 Reexamination and 1996 Master Plan, a number of regional shopping centers and office parks have been constructed or expanded in this corridor. Residential and office development to the north of Princeton along Route 206 has also begun to impact the Princeton community. We need to develop regional strategies for land use and traffic circulation.

Utilities/Infrastructure - Ensuring that the Princeton Community has adequate infrastructure to serve the needs of the community without adversely affecting the environment or quality of life in Princeton remains an ongoing problem. Both communities have adopted ordinances regulating personal wireless telecommunication facilities and equipment. The intent of these ordinances is to limit visual impacts from cellular towers on the Princeton Community.

Significant progress has been made in obtaining our goals for providing adequate water supply, sewer service, solid waste and recycling pick-up, and for the conservation of energy.

Water Supply

Ensuring adequate water supply was a major concern during the early 1990's due to recurring drought conditions as well as accelerated residential and commercial development. Improvements made by Elizabethtown Water Company during the 1990's provide an adequate supply of water. The community routinely requires new developments to submit fire-flow tests to guarantee that adequate water pressure is available. The replacement of outdated fire hydrants is also required. The Water Company continues to work with community to strengthen the supply of water and replace old water lines when roads are reconstructed.

Sewer Service

The Stony Brook Regional Sewer Operating Authority (SBRSA), located on River Road in Princeton Township, has recently completed upgrades to their plant that provide a slight increase in capacity, provide better treatment of waste, and reduce odors from the plant.

The maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system is the responsibility of the Joint Sewer Operating Committee (SOC), which comprises representatives from the Borough and Township. Routine upgrades of existing sewer pump stations have occurred.

Solid Waste and Recycling

The Borough contracts for twice a week pick-up of solid waste for all its residents. Township residents must contract for waste pick-up privately. Both communities participate in a county-wide recycling program that provides bi-weekly curbside pick-up of all recyclable material. The Township maintains a recycling facility at the Princeton Shopping Center as an additional convenience to residents. The Princeton community currently recycles slightly more than 50 percent of its solid waste.

Both the Borough and Township participate in a composting facility with Lawrence Township which processes leaves, trees stumps, and branches into mulch.