Category: Urbanization

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Ridgewood developers detail housing proposals

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Ridgewood developers detail housing proposals

January 15, 2015    Last updated: Thursday, January 15, 2015, 2:53 PM
By Laura Herzog
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News

Two developers proposing high-density multifamily housing in Ridgewood were the final witnesses in a year-long master plan amendment hearing

At Tuesday’s Planning Board hearing, they discussed their personal Ridgewood connections, the scant number of schoolchildren living in their other existing properties, and what makes their proposals “luxury.”

Garden Homes Development’s principal Scott Loventhal said his 1,000- to 1,800-square-foot units, proposed for a South Broad Street complex that could feature high-end appliances, WiFi café common areas and a doorman, would go for $3 per square foot, plus utilities.

Proposing a more-than-100-unit development at the old Brogan site (The Dayton) that could incorporate affordable housing, Loventhal was the first speaker of the night.

He said more than a dozen homes are currently for rent in Ridgewood, most between $3,000-$4,000 a month.

“They can rent a single-family home if their goal is to place their children in the school system,” Loventhal noted, adding that his expensive, small apartments “are simply not a place where families are going to go.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-developers-detail-housing-proposals-1.1196105

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Builders testify before Ridgewood board

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Builders testify before Ridgewood board

JANUARY 15, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — One developer proclaimed his firm’s apartment building would have “no amenities” for children. Another said some people will pay more for high-end luxury housing in the village. And a third allowed his proposal to speak for itself.

The three developers, who want to bring high-density multifamily housing complexes to Ridgewood, were given the opportunity to testify this week before the Planning Board, which is considering a master plan amendment that would allow such buildings.

Only one developer declined to address the board, saying he didn’t want to be redundant.

Scott Loventhal, the director of development for Garden Commercial Properties in Short Hills, said the development proposals would “fill a void” in Ridgewood’s housing market and help “make the downtown even more vibrant.”

For nearly five years now, the Planning Board has been considering the amendment to allow such projects in three distinct zones in the village. Four developers initially requested the amendment change; since then, one of the projects has been withdrawn.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/builders-testify-before-ridgewood-board-1.1194572

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Downtown Development guidelines the “big picture”

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Downtown Development guidelines the “big picture”
January 13, 2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ  Looks like the Ridgewood News has brought their A game to Village Central Business District development debate by proposing the planning board consider the big picture ,not only the impact to the CBD but the impact to the whole town , the schools,services ,infrastructure and commuting  in their latest Ridgewood News editorial: Developing guidelines ( https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/186420401_Ridgewood_News_editorial__Developing_guidelines.html )

According to the News , “Ridgewood officials are considering the potential impact on the village. A draft ordinance is being drawn up that contains specifications each developer must follow, such as floor area ratio, setbacks, sign usage and minimum parking. That’s an important first step, but we believe much more must be considered.

Then the good stuff ,”In addition, the impact on traffic downtown – already a concern for many, especially regarding pedestrian safety – must be an important factor for Ridgewood’s planning board. The draft ordinance will guide officials in decisions such as units per acre and appropriate maximum building height. But we hope Ridgewood officials will consider the “big picture” and the impact of so much potential housing in one small geographic area.( https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/186420401_Ridgewood_News_editorial__Developing_guidelines.html )

What is the “big picture”, the “big picture” is the is the overall impact on the community as a whole , the schools, Village services, ,parking, infrastructure, commuting , medical , traffic, EMS , fire, safety and of course the over all  viability.of  Ridgewood’s downtown  .With Urbanization comes added costs to the whole Village as well as quality of life issues that are very hard to put a price tag on .

If the Ridgewood Station project , the Dayton, Chestnut Village and the Enclave it will add over 300 new housing units within five blocks of each other forever changing the Village and the nature of the Village itself.