Princeton Academy subdivision hearing continued after initial testimony on conservation sale and access

The Princeton Zoning Board of Adjustment heard the opening testimony on April 22 for a minor subdivision of Princeton Academy’s campus at 1128 Great Road that would create a school lot and a separate “Manor House” lot the applicant proposes to sell to Woods and Wayside International for conservation, environmental education and public trail access.

Municipal staff (planning and engineering) and the board identified multiple technical issues the applicant must address, including updated boundary/topographic surveys, setting monuments/pins required by a prior subdivision condition, clearly described easement language for access and utilities, parking allocations split between the resulting lots, and proof of emergency access for the lot that would no longer have direct frontage on Great Road.

Princeton Academy’s head of school, Kathleen Hamura, described ongoing educational programming with local conservation partners; Christopher Barr (Woods and Wayside) and applicant counsel said the intended buyer would use the Manor House lot for environmental education and to provide trail access into adjacent conserved forest. Planning staff asked the applicant to explain how long‑term conservation commitments from Woods and Wayside would be secured and what easements or covenants would accompany any sale.

Given the extent of outstanding survey and easement details and the volume of technical review comments, the board carried the hearing and retained jurisdiction; the matter was scheduled to continue on June 3, 2026. The applicant consented to an extension of time to allow the board to continue jurisdiction without republishing notice to the public.