Princeton Historic Preservation Commission approves landscape and hardscape work for six Princeton Theological Seminary properties with conditions

The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 20 approved six related landscape and hardscape applications from Princeton Theological Seminary covering properties at 44 Mercer Street and 15, 17, 19, 25–27, 29 and 31 Alexander Street in the Mercer Hill Historic District.

The seminary sought permission primarily for driveway-apron and sidewalk repairs, replacement or widening of steps and landings, new railings to meet current safety codes, selective fences, and new plantings and trees. Commissioners emphasized preserving the public streetscape while allowing safety and accessibility improvements. Several approvals carried specific conditions set by the HPC.

The commission’s action followed a lengthy presentation from the applicant team led by Ryan Kennedy of Stevenson Lee and landscape architect Mara Baird, who described a campus-wide “horticultural identity” of repeated tree types and simpler turf-and-tree treatments. The seminary described recurring damage to historic bluestone at driveways and asked to replace driveway aprons with a gray-colored concrete designed to match the neighborhood while salvaging and reusing salvageable bluestone where possible.

The commission approved the applications with item-specific conditions and clarifications. Notable outcomes and conditions included:

- 44 Mercer Street: Approved with…