Tag: CBD

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Reader says The Ridgewood Parking Garage is the Trojan Horse

Hudson Street Parking Garage

As I have said here several times: The village, in the voice of the Village Manager, admitted on April 6, 2016 that we do not have a parking crisis, we have a parking surplus, we have more spots than we have demand for: https://youtu.be/iyufI5C3gKU?t=1h14m

So we know from the facts any garage is all about high density housing led by the local developer. Without it, the over development of Ridgewood cannot happen by this developer and his cohorts who own property at key intersections. Without over development the property owners and this local developer, who paid a lot for the land, cannot make money. They need to develop the lots past what parking on the property supports to maximize rental revenue. The former mayor, former village manager and the local developer lie about Brogan and Ken Smith parking spaces needing to be replaced, spots that are not a part of the village’s parking inventory. The former mayor and former village manager let the Hudson Street lot fall into disrepair, then said in a video paid for with tax dollars, that neglect was a main reason to build a $12m garage.

The garage is the Trojan Horse. The village admits, we don’t need more parking, we don’t even utilize what we have. Higher density, higher congestion, higher fees, and easier profits for the local developer paid for with tax dollars.

When the now ex-village manager says in a propaganda video we have a parking crisis, but her own analysis says we have a surplus, we know there is no crisis.

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Many Readers believe developers deliberately exacerbated the parking problem in Ridgewood

parking 2/15/2016

October 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, it seems to meany readers that the previous administration worked long and hard to exacerbate the parking problem in the Central Business District . Claims of missing signs making it difficult for the public to find parking intentionally. Decisions made that always seemed to make things worse not better.

We ALL know that there is ample parking. Even Sonenfeld says so. “The problem is that PROMISES WERE MADE to certain key people that a garage would be built near their properties and businesses in the business district.” What Aronsohn, Saraceno, Pucciarelli, Vaggianos, Sonenfeld, Hauck and company failed to consider is that the town if full of very smart people. And the people rose up and ran a petition drive and stopped the insanity.

While others have claimed the signs went missing and lots hidden from public view on purpose .

Readers continually site , “The developers are deliberately going to exacerbate the parking problem with there one car per unit plans. Why should my taxes go to pay them to put in parking?”

And of coarse ,”it’s interesting that the existing apartments all have a shortage of parking and the developers keep insisting that there will only be one car per household in the proposed developments. how is this possible.”

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October 4th,the Ridgewood Planning Board will be discussing the Conflict of Interest complaint

CBD high density housing

Like last Sept 30th – Your help is needed

Friends and Neighbors,

I can’t believe it was a year ago today that over 600 of us went to Village Hall to stop the Village Council from moving forward on the High Density Housing issue. It was truly a remarkable night that brought people together and made an incredibly clear statement: We do not want high density housing in our Village!

So, here we are, a year later and we need your help yet again.

As most of you know, last March the previous VC majority passed an ordinance allowing these massive multifamily dwellings to be built – and make no mistake – once the shovels go into the ground, our schools in particular will be impacted.

What many of us didn’t know then is that the Planning Board and then the Village Council process was riddled with possible conflicts of interest. A few weeks ago, several residents and I filed a formal complaint requesting that the current Planning Board cease their high density site plan process immediately and investigate.

On Tuesday, October 4th, at 7:30pm in Village Hall the Planning Board will be discussing this formal complaint. I would urge you, for the sake of our kids, to attend so that the Planning Board is encouraged to make the right choice. If you do plan to come, please email me to help better coordinate the evening.

Please also consider sending the following note to the Planning Board and our Mayor via email:

Dear Mayor Knudsen, Chairman Joel and Planning Board Members,

I am aware that a group of concerned residents delivered a Motion of Complaint to the Ridgewood Planning Board, under By Law Sections 2.13 and 7.21, dated September 16th. Their motion brings to light a series of conflicts of interest and unacceptable mistakes that impacted the high density housing votes. It spotlights the truly defective process by which these highly unpopular ordinances (3489, 3490, 3491 and 3493) were passed. It is not right for Ridgewood residents to have such important decisions made, and the future of our village impacted, by a forum influenced by potential personal conflicts and/or mistakes. Preventing such actions is clearly the intent of the Planning Board’s own By Laws.

Therefore, I fully support the motion made by these residents. I ask that the Board stop all current high density site plan reviews and promptly begin a complete review of the residents’ complaints. Should any conflicts or mistakes be found, the Ordinance votes and Ordinances themselves should be rescinded and reevaluated via a proper and untainted process.

Secretary Cafarelli, please forward/print this email to all Planning Board members.

Thanks for considering this request.

EMAIL TO:
Mayor Susan Knudsen, Mayor ([email protected]) Michael Cafarelli, Planning Board Secretary ([email protected])
My email address: ([email protected])

Thanks for doing your part to protect our Village and hope to see you Tuesday night!

Sincerely,

Dana

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Village Council : truly good government at work!

New Ridgewood Village Council
September 29,2016

the Staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, Last night’s Village Council Work Session was great.  All of our elected officials are working well together, even when they disagree.  No one teams up on anyone else and there is no disrespect on the dais or from the dais to the audience.  There is plenty of laughter and camaraderie while work is being accomplished.  This is truly good government at work.

Here are some highlights, in no particular order:

1. Tony Damiano got up and thanked Mayor Knudsen for resolving the schedule problems with the PSEG work on Broad St.  Yes, he thanked her.  Guess he took so much heat on the Blog and on Facebook for claiming full responsibility for this that he decided he looked really small.  Well, he did take some credit, but at least he made a stab at thanking the Mayor.

2. And speaking of looking really small, oh my gosh Mr. Rurik Halaby has completely lost his mind.  He is the lone soldier left from those few who ever supported the three amigos and Roberta, and he is fighting mightily.  His comments are not worth repeating, but he sure looked like a total idiot.  And he sounded like a crazy man, spewing invective about rumors he has heard and such.  He actually verged on threatening the council including singling out Ramon.  Yep, would love to see a showdown between Ramon and Rurik.

3. Jeff Voigt in his library report announced that “the library” wants 5 Million Dollars for an interior renovation to make the auditorium into a performing arts center and some other sprucing up.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, $5 million.  And they will be looking for money.  Maybe Mr. Halaby can write the check?

4. It was explained that we will be entering into a shared services agreement with Washington Township in which we will service up to 30 of their vehicles at our Village Garage.  Yes, that garage which Mr. Pucciarelli wanted to eliminate will now be making plenty of  money for us.  Hear that Albert?  Yet another of your idiotic suggestions and schemes is going down the drain.  Do you have any comments?  Oh, that’s right, no comments from the former Deputy Mayor as he is named in a lawsuit and is scrambling to keep his reputation intact.

5. Parking was a huge topic of discussion.  Mike Sedon provided an informative history of parking pricing dating back for the past 10 or 15 years, which was interesting.  Jeff Voigt had prepared and distributed copies of parking suggestions that he had gathered from many sources.  It was very well put together and very transparent because everyone could hold it in their hands and read it.  The discussion was cordial, lively, and very productive.  A few highlights include paving and re-lining the Hudson lot and thereby adding up to 40 spaces.  This would include closing some of the several curb cut entrances into the lot from Hudson.  Imagine that, 40 spaces in the blink of an eye.  They are also going to have tiered pricing so that those who are willing to walk from Cottage can pay significantly less.  Bernie Walsh and Jeff walked in and out of 17 stores to assess where the employees park.  She said it was very friendly and informative and she is hoping all the council members can join in this project.  New signage will be going up shortly to direct people to the various lots.  The Zabriskie Lot is under consideration.

6. Looks like they will be going back to now allow parking on one side of Pomander Walk.  This makes good sense.   Why did the Pomander Walk residents ever get such an exclusive deal in the first place?

7. Heather Mailander highlighted two Village employees who have gone above and beyond.  This was a nice report and one which she intends to do regularly.  She is not singing her own praises, nope, she is singing the praises of others.  This is the sign of a great manager, one who does not toot her own horn incessantly.

8. Matt Rogers provided a litigation update, at the request of Mayor Knudsen.  This will now be a regular report.  Updates on the Water Company, Valley, COAH and the referendum petitioners were included.
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Village Council Meeting Produces Big News on Many Fronts

Ridgewood Village Council
September 29,2016
the staffof the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewooood NJ, Once again, much was accomplished with this new and improved council!  Of course somethings never change ,Rurik Halaby came to the mic twice to insinuate that Ms. Knudsen( pronounced once correctly, second time with a hard k!) should be transparent about her raffle win and her sons becoming Ridgewood police officers. Thankfully Susan called for a point of order and Bernie Walsh made reference to Roberts Rules and that personal comments made to a council member from the floor are not allowed.  It probably won’t stop future rants.

Richard Calbi from the Water Department gave a good report on the chromium 6 that has been in the news. According to Ridgewood Water Ridgewood is below the level considered dangerous even though the EPA has made no formal recommendations or issued guidelines.Currently Ridgewood Water is below the California guidelines and those issued by The World Health Organization.

Matt Rogers reported on the status of Affordable Housing, the water suit filed by Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff and the Valley Hospital appeal.

Affordable Housing: a status conference is scheduled for October, otherwise all is quiet on that front.

Ridgewood Water: a possible trial in November if a scheduled mediation in October is not successful.

Valley Hospital: Appeals Court Agrees to hear Ridgewood against Valley Hospital Expansion Case. It sounds too good to be true but after a long battle it another opportunity for the new council to make their mark. What happens next is any bodies guess.
The status of suit filed against the Planning Board was not mentioned.
A discussion about parking at the council level was very productive as they are looking at immediate remedies to improve parking before any construction is initiated.
Ramon Hache gave a Field’s Committee update and possible solutions to remediate Maple Field. One suggestion is to infuse the current field with millions of rubber pellets or replace the current field.Another idea was to build berm to protect the field better from floods . What was not mentioned is that these pellets will go into the drains, the brook and on the kids!  As we all know Maple Field is in an active flood plain. Perhaps an analysis as to what would be the cost of replacing it with natural grass  vs. new artificial turf and or its remediation? No easy solution for this one .
Discussion on the placement of art in the village. The Library might be making a presentation soon on their plans to build a performing arts center, approx. cost , 5 million dollars! They are seeking help from the Village to bond this amount .Not sure how that will be received. Love the library but other issues may be higher on the agenda.
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Stella Artisan Italian to Open this Week in Ridgewood

Stella,Ridgewood

September 26,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, so last Saturday night was the soft opening of Stella Artisan Italian , a new Italian market and restaurant in Ridgewood at 18 East Ridgewood Avenue at the former home of DUE.  Stella Artisinal Italian, a is being billed as a sort of  “EATaly meets gastropub, meets butchershop”.  Stella Artisinal Italian is owned by the same owners of pizza restaurant S. Edgidio , also in Ridgewood.  The executive chef will be Vincent Forchelli,sharing culinary duties with,Chef Forchello and Pastry chef Heather Bertinetti-Rozzi.

Word has it that the sandwiches, pasta dishes and desserts were spot on .

Stella will be open from breakfast to dinner,7 days a week ; featuring house-made pastas, charcuterie and sandwiches for lunch, and dinner entrees such as porchetta (slow-roasted pork), osso bucco and grilled ribeye steaks. As well as homemade charcuterie (sausages, cured meats, etc), breads, gelato .
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Reader says Ridgewood Planning Board lawsuit indicates that Pucciarelli should have recused earlier

Ridgewood 3 amigos

Well this is off subject but I do not know where else to post it. The Ridgewood News today has a great article about the high density housing fight. A lawsuit indicates that Pucciarelli should have recused way earlier than he did. When asked by the reporter to comment Mr. Pucciarelli declined. Love it. Mr. Big talker who could not shut up ever when he was on the dais now has his mouth shut. Have a crappy weekend Big Al the Developers Pal.

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Little Skye Children’s Boutique in Ridgewood Rockin’ Fall Fashion Runway Show

Little Skye Children's Boutique

• Rockin’ Fall Fashion Runway Show
• October 1 Noon to 1pm
• Little Skye Children’s Boutique, 171 East Ridgewood Avenue
• Everyone is invited to watch your friends’ and neighbors’ kids rock the runway wearing the trendiest fall fashions.

Join us on October 1, from noon to 1pm at the Little Skye Children’s Boutique. All attendees will be treated to scrumptious baby cakes courtesy of Cupcakes by Carousel. Panico Salon will transform the children — making them runway ready. The boutique is offering an exclusive 15% off all non-sale merchandise that day only.

Little Skye has distinguished itself with a carefully curated selection of fashions at all price levels from over 60 independent international designers. Designers include Mim Pi, Joah Love, Chaser, Splendid, Miki Miette, Appaman, Mayoral, Egg Baby, Siaomimi and Anthem of the Antscan. Little Skye is located at 171 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, NJ. More information about the boutique and clothing can be found athttps://littleskyechildrensboutique.com or by calling (201) 645-3132.
• Little Skye Children’s Boutique
• 201.645.3132
• [email protected]
• https://littleskyechildrensboutique.com/

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Reader says the Central Business district in Ridgewood is struggling with the Aronsohn legacy

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

the concern is that the lot slopes from one side to the other and that when developers like these start building they can play games with the grade from which the building is measured. By measuring from the high point of the property, they can get away with more building.

The problem here is that just as they were being chased out of office, Aronson & Co. passed laws allowing for these multi-unit, multi-family complexes to be built throughout Ridgewood. We are all struggling with the legacy of these laws. This site, for instance, could potentially add a few hundred cars, students, etc to our budget. It is only one of several sites already in the works. Undoubtedly other land speculators and profiteers are lining up to try and build more. Saurabh and others are doing their best to try and either prevent the monstrosity from moving forward or keep it as curtailed s possible.

You should go to the planning board meetings where these projects are being discussed. See if there is anything you can do to prevent the damage that is about to happen. First and foremost you can write your council people and the planning board members to use the means available to them to undo these monstrosities before they are built.

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Reader Explains , “its not a petition but a formal motion asking the planning board to take action and correct the problems caused by the prior planning board”

dayton_102811_rn_tif_

Reader explains,  “Actually, its not a petition but a formal motion asking the planning board to take action and correct the problems caused by the prior planning board. Those problems included conflicts of interest by board members and dramatic mistakes in the planning board hearings. In short, it is apparent that the residents of Ridgewood were denied due process because of transgressions. The new planning board has the opportunity to make amends.

The motion is not “in support” of the RCRD’s lawsuit. That lawsuit is independent and it seeks to undo the Aronson ordinance allowing multi-family housing.

In any event, while the motion is not a petition, any interested party can join in the request to the Board by signing on to a copy of the motion paper.”

 

https://theridgewoodblog.net/last-minute-petition-circulating-to-stop-the-ridgewood-planning-boards-high-density-housing-review-process/

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High Density Housing : Max Height from the Lowest Grade

Dayton_theridgewoodblog

September 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Resident Saurabh Dani gave us his take on the Planning board meeting last night , “This new Dayton building they are discussing at the planning board has 34.8 units per acre. We were told by ex deputy mayor in council meetings multiple times that because of the set backs and floor plan ratios, they will never go beyond 28-29, even if the ordinance allows 35. That was a big lie.

Also max height at some places (four units to go that height) is 58 feet from AVERAGe grade.
I asked what is the max height from the lowest grade level, not averaged grade, and they would not answer it. How difficult is it to ‘grade’ a slope by adding a few truck loads of dirt?”

Since there was not a vote last night on the petition nor high density housing, there is still more time to collect names.

see ;https://theridgewoodblog.net/last-minute-petition-circulating-to-stop-the-ridgewood-planning-boards-high-density-housing-review-process/

 

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Reader says We are all so grateful for Mayor Knudsen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

susan village council

file photo by Boyd Loving

So let me get this story straight and see if I have it right. PSEG schedules major work on Broad Street to commence in late September and run through the Christmas season. This is done when Roberta is still employed. The summer comes and goes, and Roberta goes…and goes. Then last week Tony Damiano gets up at a meeting and states that this is the worst possible time for the merchants, as they make most of their money in the 4th quarter. This makes sense, but it is hard to hear the sense in his message since he is all but accusing Mayor Knudsen of doing this on purpose to screw the merchants. As if she would do anything remotely like that, honestly, Damiano is insane. But I digress.

So the meeting ends at midnight or whenever, and Susan goes right to work the next day setting up a meeting with PSEG to see if they will change the time frame away from the Christmas season. In a text exchange with Damiano, she tells him she will be meeting with PSEG and encourages him to give her any input or insights before she meets with them. He does not do so.

On Monday morning at 10:00 she meets with PSEG, along with Rutishauser and (in the absence of Heather who was off) Janet Fricke. Mayor Knudsen manages to accomplish a major victory, because she gets the giant utility company to change their dates. This happens because Susan is very pleasant and diplomatic. We know that the PSEG folks DESPISED Aronsohn because he was such an Atilla the Hun with them, bossing them around through the hurricane aftermath.But now we have a mayor who is pleasant, polite, professional, and easy to get along with.

Mayor Knudsen immediately composes a press release to let everyone know that the dates have been changed, but before she can send it Mr. Damiano in his great arrogance sends out a victory letter taking full credit for accomplishing the date change. Un-effing-believable. He was NOT in the meeting, but he takes full credit for this. He does not acknowledge Mayor Knudsen, he does not thank Mayor Knudsen, and in fact he goes on to write some very snarky and sarcastic comments about her. He accuses the Mayor of trying to stick it to the merchants, instead of thanking her for solving the problem. And then he goes on to posture that he will be doing direct negotiations with PSEG moving forward for any work they want to schedule. What???? Damiano is not an elected official, he is not an employee of the Village. He has ZERO authority to schedule any utility work in this town.

In the end, Mayor Knudsen took the right approach, solved the problem, and took the high road in the face of incredible invective from Tony Damiano as well as Troll Halaby.

We are all so grateful for Mayor Knudsen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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UPDATE : Last Minute Petition Circulating to Stop the Ridgewood Planning Board’s high density housing review process

Dayton_122311_rn_tif_-300x148
September 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
There wasn’t a vote last night re the petition nor high density, so we have more time to collect names!
Ridgewood NJ, a last minute petition is making the rounds looking to forestall any decision on development in the Central Business District . The petition in support of a law suit brought against the planning board  in May by Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development claiming that “mistakes” were  made which corrupted the entire planning process.

Dear Friends,

Please review the attached petition/testimony and consider adding your name to it. Supporting this petition is our best chance at stopping the Planning Board’s high density housing review process which COULD GO TO A VOTE TONIGHT!!

In order to add your name to the petition:

1) Print out the signing page of the attached petition letter and sign it.

2) Either scan or take a jpeg snapshot of the autographed signing page with your phone and email it to: myself, Mayor Knudsen, Planning Board Secretary Cafarelli and Planning Board Attorney Christopher Martin:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]
[email protected]

3) In the subject heading write “Please add my name to the Motion of Complaint against the Planning Board”
4) Forward this email/attachments to everyone you know in town.

Thanks for doing your part to protect Ridgewood.

Sincerely,

Dana

 

 

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Ridgewood new Code Enforcement Officer on the scene in the CBD

itsgreektome2 theridgewoodblog.net
September 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Blog has learned the Ridgewood new code enforcement officer has been making the rounds in the CBD  counting chairs and tables to check if restaurants are in compliance with their the outdoor cafe permits . She has issued several written warning for those that are in violation. We wonder if she is also check for encroachments in to the pedestrian  right of way?  Is she checking for planters and flower pots that made impeded people from walking or parking their car ( and lets nor forget people with disabilities) ? Does she do her checking during her 9-5 work day or does she come out at night and on the weekend when restaurants  load up the sidewalk and tables?

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Mayor Kundsen Announces PSE&G Agrees to Postpone Central Business Work Till After the Holidays

susan village council

file photo by Boyd Loving

Dear Ridgewood Businesses,

This morning at 10 am I had the opportunity to meet with PSEG officials along with Village Engineer, Chris Rutishauser and Janet Fricke, Assistant to the Village Manager. The hour long meeting resulted in PSE&G representatives agreeing to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January. David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in the area. The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district. The meeting was cordial and professional. PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, is grateful to PSE&G for working collaboratively with us.As well we appreciate the patience of our businesses while we worked through the details with PSEG. We wish you all the greatest success and many, many sales during the upcoming fourth quarter.

Warm regards,
Susan

Mayor Susan Knudsen
Councilwoman

Village of Ridgewood