Residents ask Ridgewood Planning Board to rescind vote on H-Zone
THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2012, 4:31 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Though several months have passed since the Ridgewood governing body put a halt to any Valley Hospital expansion plans, the thought of another “Renewal” still looms in the minds of some residents.
Nearly one dozen residents lobbied Ridgewood Planning Board members last week, asking them to rescind the hospital zone (H-Zone) amendment to Ridgewood’s master plan that was approved nearly two years ago. The amendment set certain guidelines and parameters that were considered favorable to the hospital’s $750 million expansion project.
Could not agree with this more. Fact is that a lot of new information came to light during the VC hearings – a good deal of which was provided by the very same experts that the Planning Board questioned during their “comprehensive” hearings.
And that proves the process was flawed. The Planning Board did not ask the right questions, obviously. Otherwise why would all the new info have come out from the same people during the VC hearings. Same experts, but asked more relevant questions, and lo and behold, new and rather revealing answers were given.
So, since the process was so obviously flawed, it’s all the more reason to rescind the amendments. If another plan is formulated and put forward, then fine, let the process begin again based on the parameters of any such revised plan for renewal or whatever you want to call it.
That’s how it would have to work for anyone else after all in any other zone, isn’t it?
I hope they will rescind the amendments, and soon.
Where do we go to sign on the request?
Valley needs to expand just does not need to double in size.
Valley needs to “modernize,”not expand…