Source: Trenton Times, December 11, 2012
Posted on: http://envfpn.advisen.com
Opponents of the project to convert the former University Medical Center of Princeton hospital site into apartments focused on the potential for soil contamination in testimony and cross-examination last night.
James Peterson, called by the opposition as an environment expert, said he thought the initial studies of environmental conditions were flawed, and said a lot more work remains to be done to verify that there are no hidden problems.
He said there is still time to do a thorough investigation.
“The best time to do this would have been phase one, but it was an option not selected. … It really should be done now,” he said.
The project to convert the former hospital into a 280-unit apartment complex has drawn scrutiny from Princeton Citizens for Sustainable Neighborhoods, which has raised a number of questions about the project.
One resident said she was concerned environmental problems, if there were any, would only be discovered once the demolition has begun.
“If we don’t find out about contamination of the building before its torn down, isn’t that too late,” said the resident, Minnie Craig, who lives a block away from the site.
Residents have opposed the building’s design, the developer’s refusal to build to high environmental standards and the fact that they believe the complex represents a gated community.
Last night, the group continued to press the applicant, AvalonBay, to investigate potential contamination from underground storage tanks and a possible septic system left over from the hospital.
The meeting was at times contentious, as experts provided testimony and were then cross-examined by both AvalonBay and opposition counsel.
In his cross-examination of Peterson, Ron Ladell, senior vice president for AvalonBay, asserted that his company had already pledged to take care of any problems that are discovered.
“Whatever obligation they have for a cleanup, they will fully comply,” Ladell said.
Last month the township committee voted to have an independent consultant review environmental impact documents related to the proposed complex, prompting furor from Ladell, who said opponents to the project had invented the issue as a ruse to stall or prevent the apartments.
The firm that was hired, Sovereign Consulting, concluded that there is no contamination on the site, which was the finding of an earlier study.
However, David Volz, of Sovereign, recommended that the underground storage tanks still on the property be removed “to alleviate any concerns” that they could be harmful to the environment.
Alexi Assmus, a member of the citizens group, said she was disappointed with the independent review done for the town.
Under the construction plan, the hospital complex would be replaced by a four- to five-story building, just shy of 49 feet tall, that would have one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and studio units as well. Twenty percent of the apartments would also be affordable housing.
The next scheduled hearing is on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.