PRINCETON: For candidate Neumann, affordability is an issue

Anne Waldron Neumann, Princeton
As I run for Princeton Council in New Jersey’s June 7 primary, I look forward to discussing issues with Princeton’s Democratic voters.
I see three main issues facing council: affordability and municipal property taxes, affordability and Princeton University, and affordability and McMansions. (The school budget is not within council’s purview.)
First, I believe council does control spending carefully. But what about increasing revenue? Having met for four years with Princeton Future’s Neighborhood Retail Initiative, I propose a volunteer economic development commission to help us retain existing businesses and attract new ones in keeping with our town’s character.
Second, affordability and the university: Council should begin consulting with the plaintiffs’ lawyer in the case questioning the university’s non-profit status. The university has agreed to explore mediation, and we need to ensure the best settlement for our town. Having met for five years with a committee that studied this issue, I favor a greatly increased Payment in Lieu of Taxes that grows predictably each year, according to the university’s annual income or the value of its real property, fairly assessed.
Third, affordability and McMansions, I served seven years on Princeton’s Site Plan Review Advisory Board. To slow tear-downs of modest homes and their replacement by million-dollar spec houses, I favor toughening the former Princeton Borough’s 2006 McMansion law and applying it also to denser parts of the former township. Set-backs, floor-area ratio, and height should reflect each neighborhood’s existing averages.
For more information, please email anne.neumann@verizon.net. 
Anne Waldron Neumann 
Princeton 