The continuation of the public hearing for the former Acme shopping center is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10, at the Planning Board.
Last month residents and members of the Planning Board got an in-depth view of Irv Cyzner’s plans for the 13.5-acre site, at Princeton-Hightstown and Alexander roads, where the developer said that Starbucks has already signed a letter of intent to move.
Planning Board members are expected to discuss their views and hear from their hired professionals, who have prepared their own reports on the plan. The hearing will also contain input from the public.
All together, the proposed plans include the reduction in square footage from 59,500 to 58,055 square feet by demolition of two back loading areas to make way for a circular road connection around the site for deliveries that would lead out to a proposed new driveway connection to Alexander Road, across from Harris Road.
The plans feature a facelift for the shopping center that includes a cupola on the side of the building closest to Alexander Road.
Plans also included increasing the number of parking spaces from 311 to 342, including eight handicapped spaces, and two new “monument” signs — one on the Alexander Road frontage and another on Route 571. The signs require waivers, since Cyzner is proposing two 90-square foot signs as high as 15 feet, even though the ordinance only permits one sign at a maximum 30 square feet.
