>Proposed Ordinance – Site Plan Approval for Change of UseThe proposed ordinance regarding Site Plan Approval for Change of Use would require site plan approval for any change of use. A change of use is a material change in the character or intensity of a use, such that there is the potential for different impacts to the site, neighborhood or community. For example, a restaurant that originally serves dinner only, but later changes to add live entertainment, could be considered a change of use, since it would create issues related to traffic and parking, noise impacts, etc.This type of ordinance has been implemented in Allendale, Montvale, Oakland, Teaneck and Westwood. Click here for the draft ordinance.
the Fly on the Wall has told the Ridgewood blog that this ordinance could damage property values in down town Ridgewood as well as merchants .
Readers sound off……
So who cares if 5 other nearby municipalities have similar ordinances? What’s the real issue here? What happened, or does the Council think will happen, if this ordinance isn’t adopted? Property owners will suffer tremendously if this ordinance is passed. However, the Village’s land use planner and local attorneys will gain – more billable hours! It’s frustrating enough now to get through the zoning process. Why add yet another layer of bureaucracy? What a way to run a Village!
