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Planning board finds Ordinance 2026-18 on permitted business uses consistent with master plan
Summary
After staff review, the Planning Board voted that Ordinance 2026‑18 — which clarifies and expands permitted business uses in several commercial districts — is substantially consistent with Princeton's master plan; the motion carried unanimously.
The Princeton Planning Board on May 7 concluded that Ordinance 2026‑18, referred by Council for master-plan consistency review, is substantially consistent with the municipality’s master plan and economic-development goals.
Planning staff summarized the ordinance (introduced April 27) and its principal changes: it adds indoor, small-scale crafting and production uses (apparel, jewelry, home décor), clarifies that spas, tutoring, test-prep and fitness instruction are permitted in specified zones with floor-area limits, allows some medical/dental and research/engineering offices with limitations in downtown commercial districts, and adds museums and theaters as permitted uses in certain central business zones. Staff concluded the changes support the master plan vision of a stronger, adaptable economy and diversification of uses.
Board members asked about the ordinance’s origin in prior market and business‑group outreach; staff said the proposal emerged from an Experience Princeton study and stakeholder feedback and that the municipality is undertaking a full code rewrite in the near term. The board took one brief public comment from Samuel Bunting, who urged broader changes, and then moved to vote.
Mr. O’Donnell moved and Linda Schwimmer seconded a motion finding the ordinance substantially consistent with the master plan; a roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. The board will forward comments to Council as part of the required consistency review.
Next steps: Council will hold the ordinance public hearing on May 11 and consider adoption; the Planning Board record will be sent to Council with any recommended comments.
