file photo Boyd Loving
UPDATE: Sidewalk Café “Encroachments”
September 30th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood NJ, It is rumored that Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld recently completed her first physical review of all sidewalk cafe layouts (with a tape measure at the ready). Reportedly, several cafes were found to have exceeded the permitted square footage and were advised to make adjustments/modifications accordingly. A copy of the memo/report detailing the Village Manager’s findings was requested via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). However, a reply to the OPRA request was received indicating that no such written memo/report existed.
One prominent restaurateur revealed to me that as many as five (5) establishments were found by the Village Manager to have been operating sidewalk cafes without the required permits. Further investigation reportedly revealed that all of the establishments had all submitted applications to the Village, some dating back over 18 months ago, but none had received their permits (nor any rejections). No explanation was offered to those establishments as to the cause for such lengthy delays in the Village’s permitting process, nor for the absence of any feedback regarding the status of the applications themselves.
While some elected officials continue to cite the lack of parking as the main issue affecting those trying to establish businesses in the downtown Ridgewood, the inordinately long waits associated with necessary permits, accompanied by the seeming indifference of those responsible (surprise, surprise), may actually be what is keeping new businesses away.
“Cause of such lengthy delays”…..omg, that’s too funny. It’s called “how things don’t get done in RIDGEWOOD……
So she actually had a tape measure? Seriously? Did they measure the permanent structures at Its Greek To Me? Between those big stone planters and the crowded tables, you can barely walk through. That is the biggest violater for sure.
Did any of the cafes exceed the permitted square footage of their illegal permanent concrete street side barrier walls?
Yes but I guess she didn’t find any sidewalk “Encroachments” or the story would have contained it. Notice how THE BREATH OF FRESH AIR just happened to leave that out. The above picture tells it all.
Did The Village Manager walk the CBD in the evening say on Friday night? That when the chairs and tables really come out. The restaurant owners know that there will be no enforcement after 5 p.m. Maybe the next time THE BREATH OF FRESH AIR shouldn’t announce that she is going to inspect these restaurants. I bet our Mayor gave his friends a heads up.
#2 Are you kidding me about Greek to Me. Nothing will happen. He is a player.
Several places were supposedly issued verbal warnings. Raymonds was told to reduce the number of chairs and the table widths on Oak Street, The Daily Treat was ordered to move its dividers back, and A Mano was told to cut back on sidewalk encroachment. There may be more but those were the ones I was informed of.
I guess Greek to Me is in compliance.
Leave your measuring tape at home next time. Instead push a stroller or use a wheelchair or walker and see how difficult it is on a Saturday to walk down Ridgewood Ave. To my eyes, Hagen Dazs is one of the biggest obstacles. If the street isn’t too crowded according to the town policies then there is something wrong with the policy because in REAL LIFE it’s an obstacle course.
Greek to Me must be in compliance
why would municipal employees work after 5pm on a Friday or on Saturdays to enforce the sidewalk permits ?
Why don’t they try telling the employes who enforce the sidewalk permits to come in a little later on Friday so they can say later to enforce the permits or here is something novel. Work on saturday and take Monday as your day off. Just to keep you restaurant people honest
There are none left they were laid off and never replaced.
They never should have allowed sidewalk dining. Repeal the ordinance and let people eat inside.
I would not be surprised if an organization advocating increased accessibility for those with disabilities files a class action lawsuit against the Village shortly. Cha-ching!
Yeah… c’mon Mr. Aronsohn… how about it?
You all talk and no action ?