Density and distribution of population and land uses - Overall, the density and distribution of population and land use has not changed significantly from the last re-exam and 1996 Princeton Community Master Plan. The majority of new units in the Township were constructed at a relatively low density and complied with local zoning and planning ordinances.

The table below shows the change in population and housing units for the Borough and Township between 1990 and 2000. The Borough population increased by 2,187 persons from 12,016 in 1990 to 14,203 in 2000. The number of housing units remained fairly stable with a decrease of 19 units.

The Township population increased by 2,831 persons from 13,196 in 1990 to 16,027 in 2000 and the number of housing units increased by 670 units. It would appear that much of the population increase in the Township is the result of these new housing units.

Township Committee has asked the planning board to consider whether high-density age restricted housing can be constructed in areas historically zoned for single-family homes on three-acre or four-acre lots. Additional sites are being considered where mixed-use development is appropriate such as in the downtown and at the shopping center.

Housing conditions - In general, the Princeton community's housing stock is in excellent condition. Houses in the Borough are generally older than that in the Township. The 1990 census revealed that the median year housing units were built in the Borough was 1939 and 1958 in the Township.

According to the 2000 Census data approximately 44.5% of the Borough's and 68.2% of the Township's occupied housing is owner-occupied. This represents a slight increase in owner-occupied units for both the Borough and Township.

Housing values continue to rise in both communities and exceed county and statewide averages. The average market value of a residential property in Princeton Township was $366,500 in 1995 and $425,600 in 2000. Retaining affordable and moderate-income housing units remains an important policy of the Princeton Community.

With the exception of isolated instances of overcrowding, there are few deficient housing units in Princeton. Both communities provide a housing rehabilitation program for low and moderate-income individuals. At the time of the last master plan and re-examination approximately 8% of our total housing units were affordable. With the completion of Griggs Farm, Karin Court, Shirley and Maclean Streets this percentage continues today. Both the Borough and the Township continue to make progress in meeting their objectives in their respective fair share housing plans.

The 2000 Census indicates that the Borough lost 19 housing units and the Township gained 670 units. The 12% increase from 1990 to 2000 in the Township and the minor decrease in the Borough do not change any of the underlying assumptions regarding housing found in the master plan.

Circulation - Due to increased impact from regional development our circulation policy continues to address three distinct categories of mobility problems: internal circulation, regional circulation, and interstate/inter-regional circulation. Internal circulation addresses the mobility needs of Princeton residents and how they get to work, shopping, recreational, and cultural areas within Princeton. Regional circulation addresses the mobility needs of those people who have one trip-end in Princeton; whether they are residents, employees, customers or persons utilizing Princeton's educational, cultural, commercial or recreational facilities. Interstate/inter-regional circulation addresses those trips passing through Princeton, but do not begin or end in Princeton.

The 1995 Re-examination and 1996 Princeton Community Master Plan recommended channeling through-traffic to higher-capacity facilities on the periphery of town such as Province Line Road. These plans also recommended that circulation improvements be consistent with the human scale, historic and residential character of Princeton. These basic policies remain in effect today and are guiding our involvement in the Route 92 and Penns Neck/Washington Road projects.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has undertaken design work for the construction of a portion of State Route 92 from Exit 8A to Route 1. This project has been delayed as the Authority undertakes additional environmental studies. The extension of Route 92 as a two-lane facility from Route 1 to Route 206, north of Princeton should also be considered.

Improvements currently underway to Route 1 and the roads which serve it, will increase capacity and reduce congestion on Route 1. The Princeton community is concerned that the proposal to realign Washington Road over Route 1 may channel additional traffic into the heart of Princeton. This would be in direct opposition to one of our central policies of directing through-traffic to peripheral roads. Additional concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impacts from this road and its impact on well established neighborhoods along Harrison Street.

As traffic congestion worsens in the area, encouraging alternatives to automobile trips takes on a greater importance. Traditional public transit as well as paratransit services should be reviewed and expanded where appropriate. A system of pedestrian and bicycle paths throughout the community should be encouraged. A free bike program has been initiated but has not been successful.

Conservation of natural resources - Guiding growth away from environmentally sensitive areas and directing it to more suitable locations continues to be a policy of the Planning Board. The community is rapidly approaching its goal of preserving 25% of the land area as open space. The development of a stable source of funding for open space has lead to the preservation of over 200 acres in the last three years. As the Princeton community approaches build-out, consideration should be given to the maintenance of our open space and to creating better open space linkages.

Energy conservation - Promoting the construction of energy efficient homes, office and public buildings remains an objective of the Princeton community. The Community continues to explore alternatives to single occupancy vehicles.

Collection, disposition and recycling of designated recyclable materials - Both the Borough and Township participate in Mercer County's recycling program. As an added convenience the Township operates a recycling facility at the Princeton Shopping Center which accepts newspaper, cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass and metal cans.

State, county and municipal policy changes - The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP) was adopted March 1, 2001. The Princeton Community was an active participant in the development of the SDRP. The SDRP is intended to serve as a guide for public and private sector investment in New Jersey and as a policy document to guide state and local agencies planning.

A portion of the Princeton Community has been designated as a Regional Center. The SDRP defines Regional Centers as a compact mix of residential, commercial, and public uses, serving a large surrounding area and developed at intensity that makes public transportation feasible. The majority of the regional center in Princeton is developed.

The state plan also designates large masses of land that share a common set of conditions, such as population density, infrastructure, level of development, or natural systems into one of five planning areas. Each planning area has a series of policy objectives that guide the application of the SDRP. None of these designations preclude development.

Within our boundaries are the following planning areas:

Suburban Planning Area (PA2)

This area includes the entire Borough and the more densely populated portions of the Township.
The intent of this area is to provide for much of the state's future development; promote growth in Centers and other compact forms; protect the character of existing stable communities; protect natural resources; redesign areas of sprawl; reverse the current trend toward further sprawl; and revitalize cities and towns.

Fringe Planning Area (PA3)

This area includes the lower density populated areas of the Township. The intent of these areas is to: accommodate growth in Centers; protect the Environs primarily as open lands; revitalize cities and towns; protect the character of existing stable communities; protect natural resources; provide a buffer between more developed Metropolitan and suburban planning areas and less developed rural and environmentally sensitive planning areas; and confine programmed sewers and public water services to Centers.

Rural/Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area (PA4B)

This area includes the lands preserved by the purchase of the development rights for the Institute Woods on either side of Quaker Road. The intent of these areas are to: maintain the Environs as large contiguous areas of farmland and other lands; revitalize cities and towns; accommodate growth in Centers; promote a viable agricultural industry; protect the character of existing, stable communities; and confine programmed sewers and public water services to Centers.

Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area (PA5)

This area includes the lands located in the northern portion of the Township and often referred to as the Princeton Ridge. This area also corresponds to the RA and RB zones in the Township. The intent of these areas are to: protect environmental resources through the protection of large contiguous areas of land; accommodate growth in centers; protect the character of existing stable communities; confine programmed sewers and public water services to centers; and revitalize cities and towns.

For the most part the planning areas in the 2001 SDRP correspond to the planning areas found in the 1992 plan. The changes in the SDRP have not altered the assumptions, policies and objectives that formed the basis for Princeton's 1995 Reexamination, 1996 Master Plan, and development regulations. The Princeton community's planning efforts were consistent with the 1992 SDRP and remain consistent with the 2001 SDRP.

The Mercer County Planning Board adopted a Growth Management Plan in 1986 that represents the master plan for the physical development of Mercer County. The county's Growth Management Plan includes plans for transportation, open space and recreation, and water quality. Over the years this plan has been amended and updated. The underlying policies and objectives of the county plan as they relate to development within the Princeton community are in general agreement. We continue to disagree with some of the policies and objectives found in the county plan for communities surrounding Princeton. There have been no major shifts in policies at the County level that warrant significant changes in the Princeton community's assumptions, policies and objectives.