Ooops we jumped the gun with initial headline Appeals Court Rules in Ridgewood’s Favor against Valley Hospital Expansion
September 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Appeals Court Agrees to hear Ridgewood against Valley Hospital Expansion Case.
The Valley Hospital had filed suit against the Ridgewood Planning Board for rejecting its proposal to nearly double in size, arguing the board illegally sided with neighborhood opponents rather than permitting an upgrade for “an inherently beneficial regional hospital.”
The lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court in Hackensack . It was an attempt by Valley to end a protracted and costly stalemate with the village and force its expansion plans have been defeated two times .
While Valley wasted its efforts on its “May way or no way” approach its competitors have expanded, renovated and in one case, reopened a hospital in Westwood.
According to Ridgewood resident John Hersperger , “I’m not surprised the Appellate Division agreed to review the lower court’s decision against the Village in the ordinance case. Valley’s lower court victory was short-lived and (knock wood) should be its last. Why? Because the legal grounds for any court to force a municipality to squeeze in a development of this size on such a small parcel simply don’t exist. Valley needs the Appellate Division to create new legal precedent to support their expansion. Such a change would have implications statewide, with healthcare businesses imposing development wherever they please.”
Pete Mckenna President of Concerned Residents of Ridgewood concurred , “The appellate division has not made a decision on the merits, but has decided to review the Judge’s decision. I agree with John’s comments that this Judge’s ruling was without precedent and that the Village’s case to appeal is strong and we are optimistic the Village will prevail in this matter.”
Hmm, James, was a good ruling but not sure it was that good. I don’t believe from the tape i heard that it was a reversal, but the granting of the right to seek a reversal – – As rogers said last night, somewhat very unusual and a good sign for those seeking to undo this other prong of the trail of tears left behind by Aronson in his mad dash to obscurity.
I pray this high density housing can be overturned too. That will be a disaster for schools, taxes and Village life.
7:21 you pray for that. How do you involve yourself to see that it can be done? Or you just pray for it.
Dear James, Sorry for the mis information. Will be more careful next time. Would have called Matt if it wasn’t the middle of the night. Thank you for the clarification.