Princeton panel approves moving 1860 toll house out of flood zone, with conditions and subcommittee

The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission voted July 21 to permit demolition of nonhistoric additions at 600 Mercer Road, relocate the property’s circa‑1860 toll house to higher ground and allow construction of a new house behind it, provided several preservation and design conditions are met. Commission members approved the application after hearing testimony from the applicant’s attorney and architect and reviewing a structural assessment and historic report that said the toll house portion was the only element of clear historic significance and that substantial water damage and foundation deterioration made full in‑place rehabilitation impracticable. The commission’s decision follows reports to the commission that the 1860 toll house sits in an area that flooded during recent storms — including inundation of more than two feet in the house’s first floor during Hurricane Ida — and a structural engineer’s finding that brick and foundation walls are in poor condition and that stabilizing the whole building in its existing location would require removal of significant historic fabric. Christopher Cost, attorney for the applicant, introduced the project and presented the professional reports; architect Maximilian “Max” Hayden described the relocation and design approach and said the plan raises the historic element above the flood plain and connects it to a new dwelling so it remains in active use. Hayden said, “We are moving it uphill,” and described the new garage floor and main‑floor elevations proposed to avoid future…