By: Courtney Gross , Staff Writer
Proposed Route 206 synagogue gets initial review
The Princeton Regional Planning Board approved a subdivision guaranteeing parking for John Witherspoon Woods and also heard concept plans for a proposed synagogue on Route 206 and expansion at Princeton Charter School and at its meeting Thursday.
The subdivision — which will allow the township to absorb .8 acres of a 3.2-acre lot and was brought to the township's attention by the Friends of Princeton Open Space — will give residents more accessibility to walking trails, township officials said, by providing seven parking spaces off Cherry Hill Road.
After approving the only official business that occurred Thursday, the board heard concept plans from Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County — a growing movement within Judaism that plans to build a synagogue and residence for its rabbi, Dovid Dubov, on the northbound side of Route 206 north of Arreton Road and south of Herrontown Road. The tract is located west of residences on Dogwood Hill.
Both Rabbi Dubov and Mort Cohen, president of Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County, said the site would act as an outreach center for the religious organization.
The 18-acre property is heavily wooded with steep slopes, and both aspects were a concern to some board members.
The synagogue, which would be hexagonal in shape and occupy 10,600 square feet over two stories, would contain an 80-seat sanctuary that could expand to 280 seats for special occasions, classrooms, a social hall and offices.
The rabbi's residence, 5,400 square feet in size, would have guest quarters, an outdoor swimming pool and oversized dining rooms, according to a memo from Planning Director Lee Solow.
The board questioned the applicant's representatives about the amount of disturbance to the woods and expressed concern about the driveways that could be potentially dangerously steep. Representatives said they would try to minimize disturbance and steep grades.
To keep disturbance to a minimum, representatives of Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County said, the organization is currently negotiating shared parking with an adjacent office complex. If those talks are successful, the project's engineer, Thomas Voorhees said, 28 spaces will be on the lot, and 40 additional spaces will be allocated at the neighboring complex for use during weekend and holiday services.
When a resident near the proposed center raised concerns over lighting and intrusion into the adjoining property, Rabbi Dubov said he would be willing to work with the neighbors to address their concerns.
Also on Thursday, the board heard a tentative master plan for Princeton Charter School — a proposal for possible additions to the school over the next 20 years.
Although the school, located at Ewing Street and Bunn Drive, is exempt from zoning regulations, the board continues to hear plans to determine that renovations and new construction are "reasonable," Mr. Solow said.
Proposed construction includes a 17,000-square-foot building with a gym, stage and classrooms, additional parking space as well as landscaping and circulation improvements, among other proposed improvements.
Jeanne Perantoni, president of the school's board of trustees, said the school's goals have not changed within the past five years: finding space for a growing enrollment, providing safety, developing the site and constructing a large group assembly space.
And with the go-ahead from the state Department of Education to increase its student body — which will eventually grow to 348 students — Ms. Perantoni said the school intends to keep its "good neighbor philosophy."
Although the plan looks far into the future for the school, Ms. Perantoni said fundraising would be crucial for bringing proposals to fruition. The school's highest priority is its proposed gym and stage space, she said Thursday evening.
Representatives from the charter school said a site plan would be prepared within the coming months that could integrate alternative energy into the proposal and provide a stormwater management plan.
Proposed Route 206 synagogue gets initial review
The Princeton Regional Planning Board approved a subdivision guaranteeing parking for John Witherspoon Woods and also heard concept plans for a proposed synagogue on Route 206 and expansion at Princeton Charter School and at its meeting Thursday.
The subdivision — which will allow the township to absorb .8 acres of a 3.2-acre lot and was brought to the township's attention by the Friends of Princeton Open Space — will give residents more accessibility to walking trails, township officials said, by providing seven parking spaces off Cherry Hill Road.
After approving the only official business that occurred Thursday, the board heard concept plans from Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County — a growing movement within Judaism that plans to build a synagogue and residence for its rabbi, Dovid Dubov, on the northbound side of Route 206 north of Arreton Road and south of Herrontown Road. The tract is located west of residences on Dogwood Hill.
Both Rabbi Dubov and Mort Cohen, president of Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County, said the site would act as an outreach center for the religious organization.
The 18-acre property is heavily wooded with steep slopes, and both aspects were a concern to some board members.
The synagogue, which would be hexagonal in shape and occupy 10,600 square feet over two stories, would contain an 80-seat sanctuary that could expand to 280 seats for special occasions, classrooms, a social hall and offices.
The rabbi's residence, 5,400 square feet in size, would have guest quarters, an outdoor swimming pool and oversized dining rooms, according to a memo from Planning Director Lee Solow.
The board questioned the applicant's representatives about the amount of disturbance to the woods and expressed concern about the driveways that could be potentially dangerously steep. Representatives said they would try to minimize disturbance and steep grades.
To keep disturbance to a minimum, representatives of Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Mercer County said, the organization is currently negotiating shared parking with an adjacent office complex. If those talks are successful, the project's engineer, Thomas Voorhees said, 28 spaces will be on the lot, and 40 additional spaces will be allocated at the neighboring complex for use during weekend and holiday services.
When a resident near the proposed center raised concerns over lighting and intrusion into the adjoining property, Rabbi Dubov said he would be willing to work with the neighbors to address their concerns.
Also on Thursday, the board heard a tentative master plan for Princeton Charter School — a proposal for possible additions to the school over the next 20 years.
Although the school, located at Ewing Street and Bunn Drive, is exempt from zoning regulations, the board continues to hear plans to determine that renovations and new construction are "reasonable," Mr. Solow said.
Proposed construction includes a 17,000-square-foot building with a gym, stage and classrooms, additional parking space as well as landscaping and circulation improvements, among other proposed improvements.
Jeanne Perantoni, president of the school's board of trustees, said the school's goals have not changed within the past five years: finding space for a growing enrollment, providing safety, developing the site and constructing a large group assembly space.
And with the go-ahead from the state Department of Education to increase its student body — which will eventually grow to 348 students — Ms. Perantoni said the school intends to keep its "good neighbor philosophy."
Although the plan looks far into the future for the school, Ms. Perantoni said fundraising would be crucial for bringing proposals to fruition. The school's highest priority is its proposed gym and stage space, she said Thursday evening.
Representatives from the charter school said a site plan would be prepared within the coming months that could integrate alternative energy into the proposal and provide a stormwater management plan.
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