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Council authorizes nearly $1 million remediation grant application for Trujune Road after debate over process and precedent
Summary
Princeton council voted to authorize a $983,126.36 Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund grant application to reimburse remediation work at 365 Trujune Road, a decision that prompted debate about municipal process, developer reimbursement and public benefit from a private redevelopment project.
The Princeton Mayor and Council on July 13 voted to authorize submission of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) grant application totaling $983,126.36 to reimburse Trujune Development Urban Renewal for remediation of property where the municipality holds a public access easement at 365 Trujune Road (Block 7404, Lot 1.02).
Council discussion focused on process and precedent. One council member said the development’s cleanup costs surfaced after private owners undertook site improvements and expressed concern about how much of the remediation cost could end up falling to the municipality or set a broader expectation for private developers seeking municipal support. "My concern is that this seems to be a very off aligning of the stars here for this entity, this for‑profit entity," the council member said, urging clarity on municipal exposure and process.
Municipal staff and other council members pushed back on the suggestion that the town would be financially responsible. A staff member explained the grant would be reimbursement from the state for remediation of municipally dedicated land tied to a public access easement and public betterments; "We're not out a penny by supporting this grant application," a councilor said, noting the application is consistent with state policy and that similar state funding is available for eligible property owners. Staff said the private property owner also pursued separate cleanup funding for their private portions.
Councilmember Mia Sachs flagged additional sites expected to be conveyed to Princeton Community Housing where the town will have remediation obligations for municipally sponsored, 100% affordable projects, and said the council should be prepared to consider remediation costs linked to future conveyances.
Despite concerns about process and precedent, the council voted to authorize the grant application; staff said the municipality is verifying that the reimbursable costs were expended by the developer and that grant funding would reimburse remediation on the town’s portion of the property associated with public improvements and the public access easement.
Next steps: staff will finalize and submit the HDSRF application and will return with any required documentation; the administration also signaled it will continue coordinating with legal counsel and interested council members on process questions and future remediation obligations for municipally affiliated affordable housing projects.
