Princeton Planning Board Reviews University’s QuantScience Institute Plans

The Princeton Planning Board convened on February 15, 2024, to review a series of proposals from the Trustees of Princeton University, most notably the conceptual plans for the new QuantScience Institute intended to be located at Fitz Randolph Road and Ivy Lane. The board approved a resolution related to the Health Services Building and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Hall project, but the meeting’s focal point was the university’s strategic initiative championing the multidisciplinary field of Quantscience.

Ron McCoy, the university architect, and attorney Christopher DeGia presented the vision for the QuantScience Institute, detailing the project’s alignment with the university’s strategic planning framework. The conceptual review encompassed the institute’s proposed square footage and the broader planning strategies for campus integration and connectivity. Board members engaged in a constructive dialogue with university representatives, discussing the scope of the concept review and its potential implications for the surrounding neighborhood.

During the meeting, McCoy described the project’s core components, which include accommodating world-leading systems for QuantScience and creating a welcoming academic environment. He also presented the site’s boundaries and zoning conditions, including setbacks and height constraints. A voluntary 60-foot setback was proposed to respect neighboring buildings’ traditions. It also detailed vehicular circulation plans, including loading dock locations and access points.

Board members raised questions about the design’s technical aspects, including the building height, massing, and scale. The landscape design aimed at preserving tree-lined streets and enhancing habitats for wildlife, with a focus on native plants and green roof strategies for stormwater management. Conceptual massing and renderings were provided, offering comprehensive views from different angles.

David Cohen, a board member, inquired about the project’s energy intensity, particularly for computer-intensive activities, and asked about measures to balance energy usage. McCoy expounded on the goal of reusing waste heat from the building’s systems and the broader campus-wide strategy for carbon neutrality. Additionally, Cohen sought clarification on the expected number of occupants and their impact on parking and transportation. McCoy projected an initial accommodation of 760 occupants with growth to 1,180 occupants by 2042.

Julie Capozzoli explored the accessibility concerns within the central courtyard, with McCoy affirming the goal of maintaining all ramps under a 5% slope for universal access. Owen O’Donnell’s questions about stormwater management led to McCoy explaining the need for an independent stormwater system that meets regulations projected for the year 2100.

Board members also addressed the project’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the design process, expressing interest in the initiative’s outcomes. They discussed the attractive inclusion of natural light in the design and its potential benefits for occupants and bird safety. The site plan, building height limitations, and storm water management were further technical aspects that the board interrogated, expressing concerns about the construction process’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

The discussion extended to the construction materials, specifically the use of mass timber and steel framing, and their applicability to various building parts. The board also touched upon the integration of public art, with the university representatives referencing the existing campus-wide public art program.

A public comment highlighted the importance of incorporating solar energy to balance energy consumption and production, a sentiment appreciated by the board members and indicative of an area for future consideration. The meeting ended without any formal resolutions related to the QuantScience Institute’s conceptual review, which served as a platform for initial feedback and information exchange.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Mark Freda
Planning Board Officials:
Louise Wilson, Owen O’Donnell, David Cohen, Julie Capozzoli, Mia Sacks, Nat Bottigheimer, Fredi Pearlmutter, Alvin McGowen, Pallavi Nuka, John Taylor, Claudia Wilson Anderson, Kerry Philip (Planning Board Coordinator)

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording