Forum to focus on ideas for Ridgewood business district
JULY 15, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014, 12:38 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
Two major master plan amendment applications, from The Valley Hospital and developers seeking to build multifamily housing developments in Ridgewood’s Central Business District (CBD), have dominated Planning Board meetings over the last year.
And this state of affairs has forced the board and residents to become “reactive” to these applications, rather than “proactive” in developing their own vision for the CBD’s future, according to Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli.
“[Residents] are locked into a reactive mode, like the Planning Board itself,” Pucciarelli said. “Protest signs about ‘Save our Village’ do not really set the tone for a positive image of what it is we want. It suggests more of what we don’t want.”
To learn what villagers would like to see happen in the CBD, Pucciarelli is holding an informal public meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 in Village Hall.
“No agenda. Limited structure. Let’s just have a chance to come to the open mic and exchange ideas,” Pucciarelli said. “I’m hoping it brings out people who are genuinely interested in promoting ideas in a positive way. I don’t want to see it turn into a demonstration against a particular application or group of applicants that are out there.”
Pucciarelli previously sat on both the planning and zoning boards for about 24 years. He was the council’s Planning Board liaison until last Tuesday’s reorganization meeting.
He said his new position off the Planning Board has left him free to engage in a more open discussion about the CBD.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/forum-focuses-on-future-of-downtown-ridgewood-1.1051550#sthash.zhusLwqX.dpuf
A live LINK to this North Media story would be helpful JJJ. thanks.
That’s right–it’s what we don’t want! We aren’t urban planners. Was CRR supposed to design a reasonable upgrade for Valley? We don’t want those high rises and hundreds of new residents, cars, and kids in the schools. Believe it and let it go!
That’s right #2, kill any ideas for CBD redevelopment before we even explore the options within the existing Master Plan. Have you been to the CBD recently? It’s in shambles. It doesn’t add value to our real estate prices. Many residents just avoid the CBD all together, including apparently you. But you don’t want any change !
now come on its not and yes or no question , my way of the highway question its a question of reasonable development that fits the character of the Village
What is the “Bergen County Parking Garage Presentation to night all about” ????????????????
It will be interesting to see how the Mayor, his Deputy and Mrs. Hauck respond to the 2 current plans before the Village. Both require Master Plan amendments and both developers have courted our Council majority heavily.
The Council majority have been caught meeting secretly with these developers and have been caught accepting inappropriate gifts from at least one of them. Will there be quid pro quo? Stay tuned – if any of these 3 come out in favor of either of the 2 projects before the Village it would be appropriate to involve the prosecutors.
Why are those of us that favor an upgrade to the CBD but are against projects that require a Master Plan amendment labeled by our Mayor and his Council majority as naysayers? Why does our Deputy Mayor shout down his detractors in public meetings then demand a level of decorum?
Stay tuned.