The Trustees of Princeton University’s renovation plan for 58-60 William Street involved substantial interior and exterior improvements. The project, presented by architect Ronnie Breiner and supported by professional planner Kate Keller, aimed to reduce the existing floor area ratio (FAR) from 89.8% to 77.5%. Despite requiring several variances, including setbacks and impervious coverage, the board ultimately accepted the application, noting that one member recused themselves due to a possible conflict of interest.

The case of 68 Lee Avenue proved more controversial. Property owner Hardik Patel and his wife, Minal, sought to convert a non-compliant two-family structure into a single-family dwelling with an ADU. The plans for the ADU had been revised to comply with the size and room count requirements of the ADU ordinance. Despite support from Elizabeth Kim of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for the minimal changes to the building’s exterior, several residents voiced concerns during the public comments section. Cheryl Whitney, Joseph Weiss, Andrew Ski, and Carrie Eastman raised issues about neighborhood character, parking congestion, and the potential increase in density.

The board’s discussion on the Lee Avenue property highlighted the technicalities of the variance request, the property’s historical use as a two-family dwelling, and the challenges posed by the undersized lot. The Patels provided evidence of the property’s use through discussions with neighbors and physical signs of separate living units. However, there was debate among board members about the suitability of the property for an ADU and the implications of its current use.

Another notable case involved 21 Vernon Circle, where owners Zargai and Colleen Murphy sought a C1 variance to modify parking arrangements and regrade the driveway, which conflicted with the required front yard parking setback. The board engaged in a detailed examination of the variance request, considering the potential impact on the neighborhood.

A discussion also arose regarding renovations to solve a long-standing parking issue at a home with a steep, unusable driveway. The proposed solution involved filling the steep section and constructing a retaining wall, which necessitated variances. The homeowners expressed their desire to resolve the parking dilemma that had plagued them for years.

In addition to property-specific cases, the board passed a resolution of commendation for James Davidge, who had moved out of Princeton. Resolutions concerning properties on Valley Road and Great Road were also approved, with minor clarifications and corrections accepted by the board. The application for a property on Meer Stone was re-noticed and removed from the agenda.