West Windsor Town Council and the Plainsboro Township Committee each passed a resolution urging state legislature to oppose two bills that support “equalizing standing of private and public colleges before land use agencies.”
If passed, the bills would give private colleges the same exemptions as public institutions. That would create the potential for such highly-contested projects as the 45-acre solar field at Mercer Community College to happen at private colleges. At present two private institutions have properties in West Windsor: Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Mayor Hsueh said he does not want to see the township’s authority over land used by the colleges taken away. “Hopefully this will not get approved by both houses, and I hope that Governor Christie will definitely not support it,” he said.
At the Monday, August 6, West Windsor Council meeting Al Lerner of 67 Rainflower Lane spoke about the importance of a municipality stopping the state-level legislation. “The state senate sponsors of this bill should be copied on our resolution to let them know that we are watching and we’re worried. This is part of a much broader question — who shall manage our lands and how shall they manage it? Waivers and exemptions for universities and corporations are disturbing, and land development must be carefully monitored.”
