Tag: CBD

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Ridgewood Police : Traffic Alert Tonight Fall Car Show 9/11/15

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East Ridgewood Ave in the central business district will be closed beginning at 4:30pm for the chamber of commerce fall car show.

Ridgewood NJ, The Annual Fall Car Show, presented by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Friday, September 11h, 2015 from 6:00-9:00pm. Don’t miss this FREE chance to stroll through Ridgewood’s historic, bustling downtown area, filled with 400 cars from the years 1930 to 2015! This year, the Car Show will take place around Memorial Park at Van Neste Square and on E. Ridgewood Ave. The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce 2015 Car Show is dedicated to the memory of those who died on 9/11. A special “Memorial Award” will be given out by Duxiana of Ridgewood. This is the best EVENING car show of the fall! Bring the entire family and take your picture under the huge American flag suspended between two hook and ladder fire trucks! Come see the Ridgewood High School Marching Band in their first performance of the season. The RHS Maroon Men acapella group will start the evening off with the Star Spangled Banner. Listen and dance to a live band, have dinner at one of Ridgewood’s many restaurants, and see the wide variety of cars, from muscle cars and hot rods to current models and crazy designs

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Ridgewood Planning Board approves plan for new PNC Bank

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The village Planning Board heard and approved a minor site plan application last week to convert the former Pompanoosuc Mills site into a PNC express branch and add a handicap accessible ramp.

The plan calls for a 4- by 6-foot Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp to be constructed at the front of the building facing East Ridgewood Avenue and the tenancy of a wealth management office occupying the second floor and a portion of the first floor of the building along with an automated teller machine (ATM) lobby.

Currently, there is no handicap accessibility at all. The only way a handicapped individual can access the bank is to use the rear door of the building and take the elevator to the ATM or wealth management offices. The first floor will contain an ATM and three conference rooms and employees will work out of cubicles on the second floor facing North Maple Avenue.

At the bank’s main entrance, the express branch and the wealth management office will share a common vestibule, allowing customers to access either area of the building.

In front of the building, a ramp on the western side of the entrance with decorative aluminum railings that carries customers up 21 inches will be built next to the set of stairs already in place.

The compact design of the ramp created the need for a variance to be granted by the Planning Board. The building is compliant with the 12-yard setback from the sidewalk required, but the ramp will encroach 7 feet into the setback where only a 5-foot encroachment is allowed.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/pnc-s-plans-for-new-branch-ok-d-1.1407664

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Ridgewood Multifamily Housing : the Fate of the Village Hangs in the Balance

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Ridgewood Council to hold hearing on multifamily housing

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015, 9:35 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The subject of multifamily housing will take center stage at the Village Council’s public meeting on Sept. 16 as the governing body prepares to take action on the related zoning ordinances and hear a last round of comments from the public.

After years of public work sessions and hearings to allow testimony by attorneys and experts for three developers and comments from residents who expressed either satisfaction or concern, the Ridgewood Planning Board ultimately voted to pass the new amendments. They were then sent to the council in the form of an ordinance.

If the ordinances are approved next week, several parcels of land in the village’s Central Business District will be rezoned for housing with densities as high as 35 units per acre and building heights of 50 feet. The original amendments allowed for developments of up to 50 units per acre, but were scaled back due to the concerns of board members and residents.

Four parcels of land are currently slated for re-zoning: The old Brogan Cadillac site on South Broad Street, which would be designated as an AH-2 zone for purely residential development; the old Sealfons building on North Maple Avenue between East Ridgewood Avenue and Franklin Avenue and the Ken Smith property on Franklin Avenue, which would be put in the B-3-R zone for residential or mixed-use development; the C-R zone, a small lot on Chestnut Street for residential or mixed-used development; and the C-zone, which wraps around the C-R zone and is intended only for commercial uses.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-council-to-hold-hearing-on-multifamily-housing-1.1407448

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Our Favorite Downtowns: Ridgewood

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With elegant architecture and high-end restaurants all within walking distance, Ridgewood is both urbane and sophisticated.

By Mary Ann Castronovo Fusco | September 1, 2015

Young parents pushing strollers share the broad sidewalks with friends schmoozing at an outdoor café. Teens hunt for bargains, while grandparents treat their charges to a matinee at the Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Quad or a fresh-made waffle cone at Kilwins. Nearby, Memorial Park at Van Neste Square is an oasis of calm. Welcome to downtown Ridgewood.

“I love how walkable it is, and that everything is in one small area,” says children’s book author Ann Malaspina. “I can go to the post office and mail a package, get a coffee at Ridgewood Coffee Company, meet a friend for lunch—all while having my car serviced.” And the town is “family friendly,” adds Malaspina, who raised her two sons in Ridgewood.

East Ridgewood Avenue is the main artery, ending at the sprawling California Mission Revival-style train station, which dates to 1916 and is listed on the national and state Register of Historic Places. Over the past year, elegant way-finding signs—a joint effort by the Village and the local Chamber of Commerce—have sprouted on downtown corners, pointing visitors toward the many shops and restaurants on the side streets. More will come.

“I look at downtown as a destination,” says Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, a 19-year resident. “We have lots of people coming from different directions. It’s a small town feel that is also urbane and sophisticated.”

https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/ridgewood/

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Ridgewood will hear plans for parking garage

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SEPTEMBER 7, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 1:20 AM
THE RECORD

Village to hear plansfor parking garage

Proposals for a potential parking garage in downtown Ridgewood will be discussed during a special council meeting that has been called for Tuesday night.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave.

Ridgewood officials said the meeting will include presentations from a number of the firms that responded to the village’s request for proposals.

The council will likely choose a firm to design a multilevel parking garage when it meets Wednesday night, with an official vote planned for Sept. 16.

Village residents will vote this fall on the proposed expenditure of $15 million for the garage, slated for a site within the central business district.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-will-hear-plans-for-parking-garage-1.1404971

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Starbucks CEO: If You Support Traditional Marriage, We Don’t Want Your Business

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By AM

At the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, CEO Howard Schultz sent a clear message to anyone who supports traditional marriage over gay marriage: we don’t want your business.

After saying Starbucks wants to “embrace diversity of all kinds,” he told a shareholder who supports traditional marriage that he should sell his shares and invest in some other company.

According to a report by Forbes, Schultz seemed a bit intolerant of any Starbucks shareholders who opposed gay marriage for moral or religious reasons.

During the meeting, shareholder Tom Strobhar (who founded the Corporate Morality Action Center) pointed out that after the company voiced its support for a referendum backing gay marriage in Washington state, a boycott by traditional marriage supporters caused a drop in sales revenue.

https://conservativepost.com/starbucks-ceo-if-you-support-traditional-marriage-we-dont-want-your-business/

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Village Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm at Village Hall Time To Speak Up

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Sept 16 is LAST CHANCE to speak up!

Dear CBR Supporters and Friends,

Please plan to attend the Village Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm at Village Hall.

This will be your LAST CHANCE to voice your opinion on a series of “sweeping reforms” that will allow high-density housing to be built in our Central Business District.

While surrounding towns like Ho-Ho-Kus and Glen Rock welcome new housing development appropriate for their downtowns at 10-15 units per acre, Ridgewood is ready to change the zoning in our downtown to 35 units per acre.  Is Ridgewood looking to become a more urban village?  If our Village Council approves this Master Plan Amendment, the answer will be yes.

This is YOUR village and you do have a voice.  September 16is your last chance to speak up.

Please come to the Village Council Meeting to speak up, or just to lend your support.  Encourage friends and neighbors to come, too.   Mayor Paul Aronsohn said the Village Council will vote on September 16.   We are hoping a room filled with concerned citizens will sway Council members to reconsider enacting these ordinances.

Thank you for your continued support!  We hope to see you on the 16th!

Citizens for a Better Ridgewood
[email protected]

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Village of Ridgewood Green Business Recognition Program

CBD

Green Business Recognition Program Now Accepting Applications

Click Here to learn more about the Green Business Recognition Program

The Village of Ridgewood’s Green Team Advisory Committee has created a voluntary Green Business Recognition Program to promote green practices and increase the visibility of those entities that have successfully demonstrated a commitment to sustainability.

All privately owned businesses with a physical location within the bounds of the Village of Ridgewood may participate in the Green Business Recognition Program. Participation in this free program is entirely voluntary.Interested parties may download and complete Ridgewood’s Green Business Application and Checklist. The completed checklist and any supplemental application materials should be submitted to the attention of the Green Team electronically ([email protected]). Businesses are encouraged to contact the Green Team for assistance—a team member will be dispatched for an in-person meeting to facilitate the application process.

Businesses that satisfy the requirements for recognition will be designated a Green Business by Ridgewood’s Green Team. A representative from the Green Team will present each recognized business with a certificate suitable for public display. The name of each recognized business will be posted on social media outlets administered by the Green Team as well as other websites as appropriate. The designation of Charter Participant shall be granted to those businesses that achieve recognition during the inaugural year of this program.

Please direct all inquiries to the Green Team ([email protected]).

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September Welcomes New Merchants to Ridgewood

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September is a big month in Ridgewood!

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce members invite you to their GRAND OPENING – mark your calendars!

Katie Diamond’s Jewelry
570 N. Maple
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Ribbon cutting 6pm

California Closet
204 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Thursday, September 17, 201
5pmish

Shopettes
22 Chestnut St.
Saturday, September 19, 015
Ribbon cutting 12Noon

Serene Theraputics
555 Goffle Road
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Ribbon cutting 5:30pm

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Reader asserts “distracted driving” is caused by boredom from driving so slowly.

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The 25 mph speed limit is more dangerous than 35mph.
The rate of travel is so slow that your mind wanders.
You are lulled by the slow rate of speed to think you are able to safely perform other tasks – like texting – you feel confident in your ability to perform these tasks due to the slow rate of travel.
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A 35mph (or even 30mph) speed limit is inherently safer since it requires more concentration by the driver but is still well within the capabilities of virtually every driver (unlike say a 100mph speed limit which requires even more concentration, knowledge and reactions but is beyond the capabilities of many drivers).
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The village wide 25mph edict is another wrong headed politically correct decision that has the reverse results of its intent – making our streets more dangerous rather than safer

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Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce 2015 Fall Car Show

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August 30,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Its that time of the year again and the Annual Fall Car Show, presented by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Friday, September 11th, 2015 from 6:00-9:00pm.

Don’t miss this FREE chance to stroll through Ridgewood’s historic, bustling downtown area, filled with 400 cars from the years 1930 to 2015! This year, the Car Show will take place around Memorial Park at Van Neste Square and on E. Ridgewood Ave.

This year the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce 2015 Car Show is dedicated to the memory of those who died on 9/11. A special “Memorial Award” will be given out by Duxiana of Ridgewood.

Promising to be the best EVENING car show of the fall! Bring the entire family and take your picture under the huge American flag suspended between two hook and ladder fire trucks! 

Come see the Ridgewood High School Marching Band in their first performance of the season. The RHS Maroon Men acapella group will start the evening off with the Star Spangled Banner. Listen and dance to a live band, have dinner at one of Ridgewood’s many restaurants, and see the wide variety of cars, from muscle cars and hot rods to current models and crazy designs.

It’s also not too late to register your very own car! For more information about registering or just the Car Show itself, call us at 201-445-2600 –

[email protected] – www.experienceridgewood.com. If there is a threat of rain, please check the Ridgewood Chamber website for any changes.

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Ridgewood Guild’s “Music in the Night” Program Tonight

2015_music_at Night_theridgewoodblog

file photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Guild

Tonight’s Ridgewood Guild’s Music in the Night Schedule:

Bobby Degs – Daily Treat
Joseph Morris – It’s Greek to Me
Emily Ertle – Ridgewood Coffee
Deirdre Morgan – Kilwin’s
Jake Thistle – Due/Malee/La Tour
Banished to the Basement – MacMurphy’s
Take 4 – Ben & Jerry’s

The 2015 Ridgewood Guild’s “Music in the Night” Program

The Ridgewood Guild “Music in the Night” evening performance series is now entering its 5th Season. Every Friday night from 7:00 – 9:00pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, musicians will be performing in several locations throughout downtown Ridgewood. These talented performers have created quite a buzz, so come join the fun, and enjoy some great music!

If you can strum a guitar, blow a horn or croon a tune, we’d love to hear you. Please fill out this form and email:[email protected] and we’ll get back to you to schedule an audition.

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Dining at Latour is like a quick trip to Provence

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AUGUST 28, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY GLORIA GEANNETTE
MANAGING EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Walking into Latour by the train station in Ridgewood feels a lot like stumbling into a restaurant somewhere in Provence.

The walls are awash with cornflower blue with yellow highlights and decorated with paintings that evoke a beautiful day in the sun-dappled countryside. The updates were designed by village merchant Tony Damiano from Mango Jam.

And then there is the food, which is lovingly prepared by chef/owner Michael Latour and his chef de cuisine, Anders Carlson using modern French techniques. Much of it is sourced right from Latour’s garden in Ramsey, which is expertly managed by his sons Alexander, 13, and Michael, 18. Joining in the family operation is wife, Christine, who in addition to her own successful career, is the restaurant’s accounting wizard.

The current bounty includes zucchini flowers, the delicate yellow blossoms that Latour loves to feature on his summer menus. He explained the process with the kind of enthusiasm that any fellow foodie would understand.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/dining-at-latour-is-like-a-quick-trip-to-provence-1.1399976

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Ridgewood moves ahead with financial study for parking garage

Hudson_street_parking_theridgewoodblog

AUGUST 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015, 10:10 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The village is moving forward with a financial feasibility study for a possible parking structure to be built at the Hudson Street lot while officials wait for responses to the request for proposal (RFP) put out seeking a building design.

The study will determine the levels of expected revenue as well as the cost of a new parking garage, said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld at the Aug. 12 council meeting.

Included in the analysis will be proposed parking rate schedules for Hudson Street as well as the other village lots and on-street meters, projections for daily and annual income, debt service, cost and operations.

Sonenfeld said the village received proposals from three different firms. After a discussion with the steering committee, there was a recommendation to go with the proposal from New York-based Walker Parking Consultants, the same firm that performed the study to determine whether or not the garage should be automated or self-park.

A resolution to award a contract for the professional parking services was unanimously passed on Aug. 12. The amount in the contract is not to exceed $18,500 with expenses not to exceed $1,000, which will be expended from the $500,000 bond ordinance adopted in July.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/firm-to-review-parking-finances-1.1398423

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Residents See More than a bike lane they see the East West Divide in Ridgewood

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August 25,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bike lanes are still major concern for safety at the Ridgewood rail underpass. Most observers failed to see the logic from the beginning of of the construction  for changing from two lanes to one and adding extremely dangerous bike lanes under the trestle .

Like the ADA elevators to nowhere that proceeded it resident were quite skeptical at its introduction . Contrary to the elevators ,which seem good for a laugh , the bike lane presents a clear danger to bikers . Not to mention the slow down to emergency services through town .
Recent developments like the continued effort to fill the “east side” with sports fields  have refocused a light on what may have been the real purpose of the so called ‘ “traffic calming”.  Resident now speculate that it is another attempt to inhibit traffic into the west side of town making it more difficult for new residents living in the new high density housing to enter the west side . There also seems to be a movement growing to bus any new children to Hawes school and not to the select schools in the west side like Orchard and Willard  .
Residents again speculate that the bike lane is being used as an excuse to further divide the town like Englewood , giving certain types of politicians a voting block to ensure their perpetual election.