A company on Wallace Road that has recently been mentioned prominently in Hillier Architects’ redevelopment plans will appear before the Site Plan Review Advisory Board on Monday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. to ask for a variance to build two more buildings on its 12-acre property next to the Princeton Junction Train Station.##M:[more]##
Schlumberger, the technology company located at 20 Wallace Road, figures prominently in the most recent redevelopment plans. Architect Bob Hillier and Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh have said they have met with the company to discuss the possibility of relocating the company to another place in town to make way for a village green as part of the township’s redevelopment. Both Hillier and Hsueh said the company was open to the possibility.
The application originated on December 1, prior to any public mention of displacing the company. “Schlumberger proposes to expand its existing facility to include three new buildings and a second story expansion of the existing building,” states the application.
The application will proceed to the planning board after it is vetted by SPRAB. Schlumberger is allowed to build the improvements, but must get approval from the township for variances on lot frontage and other technicalities.
Some speculate that the company may have known in advance that the architect’s plan could involve moving the company, and planned to build to increase the value of its property, giving them more leverage when approached by the township. Hillier has said his latest plan could proceed with or without Schlumberger in its current location.
