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Valley Hospital’s next step is critical after expansion plan’s defeat

JUNE 19, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014, 12:57 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood is at a critical juncture, stung by the rejection of its plan to double in size yet still in need of upgrades that will keep it current in a highly competitive health care market.

After an eight-year battle that has polarized the village, the hospital’s expansion plan was shot down by the Planning Board on Tuesday night. To make the defeat more bitter, all the other hospitals in the area have added a new building or completed major renovations in the years since Valley began asking for permission to build.

“This has been a painful blow, and it now has to face alternatives,” said Don Malafronte, president of Urban Health Institute, a private health care consulting company. “If it wants to continue to be a premier institution, it will be very difficult given the vote.”

Valley, according to others in the health care field, faces critical decisions in the coming months: Should the hospital — which has the state’s most desirable patient population and best bottom line, as well as a solid medical reputation — take the village to court? Should it relocate, possibly expanding operations at its satellite campus in Paramus? Can the hospital develop a new plan that will appease the residents who have fought the expansion for years?

Valley officials refused requests for an interview on Wednesday. At the many hearings on the expansion plan, their representatives often spoke about how the hospital’s survival depended on the expansion, which called for all private rooms and larger operating suites.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/valley-hospital-s-next-step-is-critical-after-expansion-plan-s-defeat-1.1037579#sthash.9X7xrtgv.dpuf

Ridgewood Planning Board  “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,”

JUNE 17, 2014, 9:00 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2014, 10:54 PM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS AND CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — In a surprising and resounding defeat for The Valley Hospital, the Planning Board on Tuesday night voted against the hospital’s plan to nearly double in size.

The audience erupted in cheers after each vote against a master plan amendment that would have allowed the expansion. When the voting was done, the count was 5 to 2 against and residents who have opposed expansion for eight years were rejoicing in the auditorium of Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where the meeting was held.

“It’s a great decision for Ridgewood,” said Thomas McAndrews. “It would have strained our quality of life if it were allowed to go through.”

Most of the board members who rejected the plan used the same word — “detrimental” — in explaining the impact of the proposed expansion on the village.

“It’s Valley’s burden to show that change is warranted and I don’t believe Valley has met that burden,” said Mayor Paul Aronsohn, who is also on the Planning Board and cast a vote against the amendment. “I don’t think the proposal will serve the best interests of the community.”

Kevin Reilly, another board member who voted against the plan, agreed. “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,” he said.

Valley executives declined to comment after the vote, instead issuing a short statement: “While we are disappointed by the Planning Board’s vote, we remain committed to serving our patients with award-winning care and developing a long-term facilities solution to ensure we can meet that commitment.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/update-ridgewood-planning-board-votes-against-valley-hospital-expansion-plan-1.1036876#sthash.GZmAZi25.dpuf

Ridgewood Planning Board Rejects Proposal That Would Double Size Of Valley Hospital
CBS News
June 17, 2014 11:23 PM

RIDGEWOOD, NJ(CBSNewYork) — A proposal to expand a New Jersey hospital has been voted down.

Ridgewood residents cheered as a planning board voted against Valley Hospital’s proposal to nearly double in size, CBS 2 reported.

Resident called the planning board process ‘one sided,’ NJ.com reported.

The project would have included building demolitions, the construction of a 94-foot-tall building, and a large parking garage, the report said.

The hospital has been pushing for years to expand, saying that it needs to keep current in a competitive environment.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/06/17/ridgewood-planning-board-rejects-proposal-that-would-double-size-of-valley-hospital/

Reader says Planning Board thinks you don’t care about stopping Valley Hospital’s unreasonable expansion

Ridgewood residents, the Planning Board thinks you don’t care about stopping Valley Hospital’s unreasonable expansion because not enough of us show up to these meetings. Yes, on election day we sent a message by electing Village Council members who are opposed to Valley’ Hospital’s massive expansion plans, but it is not enough. Everyone in town should care about this issue, but most of all those of you who will have kids at B.F. over the next 6-10 years (do you want you kids walking past a massive construction site on their way to school everyday or having to spend the day trying to learn with destractions that a massive construction project will create?). And those of you who may not have kids going to B.F. but live near Valley Hospital you should care given that your home values will be negatively impacted by the expansion. And those of you will live anywhere in Ridgewood should care as a massive Valley Hospital in Ridgewood will alter the character of the entire town, and it is hurting your fellow Ridgewood residents who are your friends, neighbors, etc. Can you spare any time at all (even if you must leave early) to support us?

Please show up and support us, even if for only 1/2 hour. Thanks.