In regards to the former UMCP hospital site, new zoning codes which include design standards, environmental standards for sustainability and neighborhood friendly aspects were all written into the master plan for any future development on the site.

AvalonBay’s site plan violates Borough Code on multiple counts. It is non-compliant with the 2006 Master Plan on multiple fronts. Since March 2012, Princeton officials, municipal staff, and the public know that AvalonBay has threatened lawsuit after lawsuit if the Planning Board does not approve their non-compliant application. Municipal governing bodies that fear lawsuits from corporations will not create and maintain the standards, neighborhoods and future that successful and thriving communities require, need and deserve.

The Princeton Boro Council, Planning Board and UMCP must hold all potential buyers to the codes and standards that Princeton requires. The Citizens of Princeton must strongly communicate to our public officials that this assault on Princeton’s commitment to recreating the hospital site in a sustainable, creative and ethical manner will not be tolerated.

AvalonBay has presented a plan and filed an application that DOES NOT:

• Adhere to design and construction standards as mandated by code including LEED certification, building height limits, public open space for all Citizens and many other requirements.

• Completely analyze and ensure that any and all environmental hazards are identified and remediated in a thorough and professional manner.

• Offer a substantial and complete analysis of economic, safety, traffic, noise and population impact on Princeton.

An opportunity exists to create a thriving new community in the heart of combined Princeton. A new community that all can point to that shows the spirit of Princeton as a thriving and growing community that believes in doing things the right way, not the fastest or most profitable way. Any development on this site will impact ALL residents of Princeton, now and in the future. A private closed-off, poorly constructed 4-story monolith in the heart of Princeton is not what we want or deserve.

We, the undersigned, request that all parties involved honor and follow the requirements for old UMCP site. Anything short of complete compliance with the Princeton Master Plan will be considered a breach of responsibility and trust by the Princeton Boro Council, Planning Board, the University Medical Center at Princeton and AvalonBay. The Citizens of Princeton have spoken and made their requirements, desires and needs clear.

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