Bills Exempting Private Colleges, Universities from Local Zoning Dead...For Now

Two bills that would exempt private colleges and universities (including Rider) from local zoning and planning requirements were tabled by the New Jersey State Assembly Budget Committee on Tuesday, eliciting a collective sigh of relief from concerned officials in some college towns.

A-2586 and S-1534 are effectively dead for this legislative session, although they could be revived in the future, Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert said. 

"It sounded like there was some movement to put it back on the agenda and we heard of some amendments that were being worked onto it, but they pulled it," Lempert said. 

"We're obvious really pleased. We had thought the bill had died a quiet death and we were all shocked and surprised last week when we saw that it was back on the agenda and that it had come to this committee- which was also unusual because last year it was in the higher education committee. So there was lot of concern, we didn't know if the fix was in to push it through under the radar."

Those who support the legislation say it aims for parity between public and private colleges. Currently, public colleges need only to provide a courtesy review to local planning officials, while private institutions are subject to all local land use laws.

Robert Durkee, vice president of Princeton University, has voiced his support for the bill. Last year he said University officials have worked well with the Regional Planning Board, even when the costs of review add significantly to the project cost.

“If this bill becomes law, we would continue to consult with the Planning Board and its staff on major projects and we would hope to benefit from their perspectives and suggestion,” Durkee said. 

But officials argue that rather than provide parity, the legislation would only offer private institutions unchecked development.

In Lawrenceville, Rider University would be affected. In Princeton, the legislation could affect  Princeton University, Princeton Theological Seminary, The Institute for Advanced Study and Westminster Choir College.

“Under the claim of creating ‘parity’ between public and private universities in oversight of their development, this bill would inappropriately give private universities and colleges a free pass to develop what and where they want, without regulation or review by the local community in which they are situated.  This is wrong for our local communities and will lead to more traffic, pollution, and sprawl,” said Kip Cherry, a Princeton resident and central group executive committee, NJ Sierra Club.

Last year, the Princeton Township Committee and Princeton Borough Council passed resolutions opposing the bill.