1996 - 2001 HISTORIC PRESERVATION GOALS
The Historic Preservation Element goals promote and encourage the preservation and
enhancement of those buildings, structures and areas of historic, as well as aesthetic, value
that reflect the cultural, social, economic, and architectural history of Princeton. Historic
architecture is an essential element of Princeton's physical image today and preservation is
undertaken in order to retain buildings and areas for the education, pleasure and welfare of
the people of Princeton.
I. Identify and document historic buildings, structures, sites, roads and districts
A. Expand, maintain, and update the Princeton Architectural Survey.
B. Focus additional surveys on historic and scenic roads, bridges,
streamscapes, landscapes, especially those which may be endangered.
II. Promote appropriate utilization of historic properties
A. Promote original and/or present use of historic properties in their
original location whenever feasible and encourage sympathetic adaptive
use when original or present use is no longer feasible.
B. Review zoning ordinances to ensure they encourage the
preservation of historic properties and revise zoning ordinances to make
them compatible with preservation goals.
C. Encourage cluster zoning, utilization of transfer of development
rights for non-contiguous planned development as allowed by MLUL, and
other mechanisms to utilize historic properties and protect their historic
landscape features.
D. Require local officials to consider preservation goals in
interpreting regulations and building codes; train local officials quickly in
the new New Jersey Rehabilitation Code if and when it takes effect
E. Work with landowners, public and private agencies to encourage
the preservation, acquisition and maintenance of endangered historic
properties.
III. Protect and enhance historic properties
A. List by importance those historic properties, sites, buildings,
structures, and districts that require protection and recommend appropriate
local ordinances to effect that protection.
B. Review boundaries of locally designated districts and revise
boundaries as appropriate in accordance with standards set forth in this
Element.
C. Encourage state legislation permitting Transfer of
Development Rights for historic properties.
D. Revise Borough Ordinances as needed to enable the designation of
individual properties.
E. Intervening or surrounding properties that significantly
affect the quality and character of an existing or potential historic site (or
sites) should be reviewed for inclusion in a historic buffer district. A
Historic buffer district ordinance should be studied as a means to protect
historic preservation districts
F. Review and develop new design standards as needed for
historic districts.
G. Encourage parking design for historic districts that is
unobtrusive, minimizing the effect on the historic character of the setting.
Parking should be limited to that necessary to serve the proposed use.
H. Accept donations of property, grants of easements, and other forms
of less than fee-simple ownership of historic properties.
I. Encourage utility companies to plan, schedule, and design
infrastructure improvements in a manner that is sensitive to the scale and
character of historic and scenic roads and bridges. Develop design
standards and other preservation tools for historic bridges and roads
IV. Protect historic and scenic sites from governmental projects
A. Nominate additional sites and districts to the State and National
Registers. Investigate other types of designation or legislation that might
be available for historic roads and bridges and to protect the mature
landscape and historic streetscape elements along these corridors.
B. Encourage governmental officials to plan, schedule, and
design infrastructure improvements in a manner that is sensitive to the
scale and character of historic and scenic roads and bridges. Develop
design standards and other preservation tools for historic bridges and
roads.
C. Promote public awareness of government projects which conflict
with community preservation goals.
V. Promote appreciation of historic properties
A. Make available to local officials and the general public the
Princeton Architectural Survey and all designation surveys, photographs,
and maps. Prepare and disseminate brochures and/or guides to historic
architecture and preservation in Princeton.
B. Work with homeowners and the business community to
develop a comprehensive signage system to inform the public of
historically significant sites throughout the community.
Princeton Regional Planning Board Master Plan Index