The tree ordinance, Ordinance 2025-9, was a focal point of the meeting as it aims to align Princeton’s tree removal permit requirements with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s guidelines. Municipal engineer Deanna Stockton introduced the ordinance, emphasizing Princeton’s long-standing recognition as a Tree City USA. Key changes in the ordinance include the lowering of the diameter threshold for tree removal permits from eight inches to six inches and improvements to the replacement tree table, increasing the number of required replacement trees for larger diameter removals. The ordinance seeks to eliminate redundancy in the code related to urban forestry management and will take effect on January 1, 2026. Applications deemed complete before this date will not be subject to the new requirements.

Nathan Foot provided insights into the ordinance’s consistency with the 2023 Princeton master plan, noting its alignment with goals related to climate resilience and natural resource conservation. The ordinance is expected to bolster tree protection and management, contributing to Princeton’s livability and sustainability. Discussions also highlighted the ordinance’s flexibility in utilizing funds from the shade tree trust fund, extending incentives for replanting trees on private properties, which is important for stormwater management and environmental health.

Board members expressed general agreement on the ordinance’s alignment with the master plan, with some noting the positive impact of the funding provisions for broader tree preservation efforts. The board addressed the community’s concern about declining tree canopy cover, recognizing challenges faced by the Shade Tree Commission in data analysis and goal setting. Improved GIS mapping capabilities were identified as a tool to assist in tracking tree cover data, and the importance of incentivizing tree planting on private land was emphasized.

The meeting also tackled the designation of three properties along Franklin Avenue as areas in need of redevelopment. Owned by the municipality, these properties were previously studied in 2021. The updated report presented during the meeting included findings from recent site visits, highlighting issues such as excessive impervious coverage, lack of stormwater management infrastructure, and substandard living conditions in existing residential units. The properties met several criteria for redevelopment designation, with conditions described as detrimental to community health and welfare.

Public comments were invited, with Anita Garoniac raising concerns about community involvement and the status of Lot 27, which she argued was not “unused” but rather obstructed. A board member explained the redevelopment plan process. The discussion also touched on the future of previous residents of affordable housing units and the ongoing agreement with a developer for a mix of workforce and affordable housing.

The board clarified the distinction between workforce housing and affordable housing, noting that workforce housing targets individuals who earn more than very low and moderately low-income brackets but are still priced out of Princeton’s market. The importance of public involvement was reiterated, with board members encouraging community engagement early in the redevelopment process.