Posted on 10 Comments

Apartments would change village

imgres-1

Apartments would change village

To the editor:

Thank you to all who planned and worked, mentally and physically, to ring in the Christmas season, attract and please all the faiths in town, make everyone feel welcome, and spread friendliness and joy.

The music, speeches, tree decorated, Santa on his way, shops waiting a busy time … and then it rains.

My family and I moved to Ridgewood in 1950. I have led a very active volunteer life and was often involved with outdoor events, so I well know that awful feeling about the weather, so my heart goes out to all who were in charge for the lovely Christmas tree lighting event. Again, thank you to all.

After having raised a family in a house here in town, I moved to a then-brand new apartment near the railroad station and for years have enjoyed a view of the tree from my living room, so I have shared with so many the beauty of our village at Christmas.

Every week, I read your paper regarding the plans and dreams of the brave people who volunteer to tackle the past, present and not tested problems of the future. I would like to warn that going the way of a lot more apartments is going to change the feeling of the town, not only in appearance but the people whom would be interested in occupying them.

I do not know whether the apartments will be rentals or condos. They would draw different people. Really, neither would be particularly interested in the life of the town particularly if they commute to work. In many cases, if the tenants or owners are retired, there is a good chance they would have a second home some place other than New Jersey.

Children need their “own” special place, and a roped-off area with swings etc. is not the same as “my yard.” I have seen this happen.

Since I am really old, I do not think any place catering to people who need wheelchairs or visible showings of infirmities is exactly the environment you want on a main street of a village. I can imagine some of the comments people are thinking reading this, but let’s face it, you are thinking big changes for the town. Everything has to be put on the table. I do not think Ridgewood wants the reputation of catering to the elderly. God bless us, the elderly.

Thanks again to all.

Barbara B. Eaton

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-apartment-proposals-would-change-village-1.1152576

Posted on 1 Comment

Kidville Hosts Grand Opening Celebration for Ridgewood, NJ Location

unnamed-5

Kidville Hosts Grand Opening Celebration for Ridgewood, NJ Location

Ridgewood, NJ; December 10, 2014) Kidville — named ‘best of’ by New York Magazine, WINNER – 2014 Parents Magazine Best Birthday Party Places and given a five star “extraordinary” customer rating in The Lila Guide: New Parent Survival Guide — will open its doors at The Old Post Office, 38 Oak Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey on Saturday, January 17, 2015.  Owners Michael and Jessica Pickholz, Ridgewood residents, have organized a day full of free festivities for the public including live Rockin’ Railroad concerts, a magic show, art table fun, open play in Kidville’s state-of-the-art children’s gym, a bouncy house, giveaways and refreshments.  The Celebration starts at 10:00 am.

“We are thrilled to bring Kidville to Ridgewood, and to give the community a safe, creative, upscale haven for our children to learn, play and grow,” said Mr. Pickholz.  “Our facility will be the second largest Kidville in the United States.  Centrally located in the historic Old Post Office building on Oak Street in downtown Ridgewood, the facility will have space for multiple art and dance studios, a theater room, a parent lounge with a flat screen TV and free wifi, a state-of-the-art gym and a unique retail boutique with products designed to enhance and foster all aspects of early childhood development including physical, mental, emotional, and social growth.  Our facility and programs encourage and allow children to engage in educational, fun and stimulating activities with top-quality music, art, dance and physical education instructors in a bright, clean, nurturing atmosphere.”

Kidville offers a range of classes for children ages 0-6.

On Saturday January 17th, Kidville will host a grand opening celebration from [10:00am – 5:00pm], kicking off with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event is open to the public and includes complimentary live Rockin’ Railroad concerts, a magic show, art table fun, open play in Kidville’s state-of-the-art children’s gym, a bouncy house, giveaways and refreshments from healthy mama® brand, East Coast Burger and Max Brenner Chocolate Bar.

“As residents of Ridgewood and the parents of two girls, both of whom are Kidville alumni, Michael and I are delighted to bring the versatile Kidville concept to our neighbors and other local families with young children. We are providing programs, classes and events that parents, like ourselves, want our children to experience and in which to participate,” said Mrs. Pickholz.

Kidville offers a wide range of developmental classes including Rockin’ Railroad, which features a live 4-piece band. Other signature programs include Run Wiggle Paint & Giggle, My Big Messy Art Class, Big Muscles for Little Babies, Kidville Gymnasts, Kidville Sports and Kidville University (Kidville’s Pre-School Alternative Program). The Ridgewood location features multiple studios, a state-of-the-art indoor playspace, retail boutique, and 16 different blowout birthday party themes including the Ultimate All-Star Gym Party, Royal Princess and Knight Party, Superhero Birthday Bash and the Sizzling Spectacular Science Party. Silver Membership is free with enrollment in any Kidville class, and upgrades to Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels are also available.

About Kidville
Kidville operates large, upscale facilities, catering to young children and their families. In addition to offering a wide range of developmental classes for newborns through six year olds, including Rockin’ Railroad, Run Wiggle Paint & Giggle, My Big Messy Art Class, Big Muscles for Little Babies, Ballet Tea Party, Kidville Gymnasts, Kidville Sports, Camp Kidville and Kidville University (Kidville’s Pre-School Alternative Program), Kidville also features an indoor playspace, birthday parties for children up to age nine, and a retail Boutique. Silver Membership is free with enrollment in any Kidville class, while upgrades to Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels are also available.

Kidville operates locations across the globe including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto and Dubai.
Visit Kidville on the web at www.kidville.com/ridgewood.

Posted on 1 Comment

VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING 3 HOUR PARKING – December 22, 2014 at 7PM

unnamed-21

VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING – December 22, 2014 @ 7PM

Public Hearing on and consider for adoption Ordinance #3455, changing parking meters in the Central Business District parking lots to 3 hours

The Village Council will hold a Special Public Meeting on December 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room of the Ridgewood Village Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a Public Hearing on and consider for adoption Ordinance #3455, changing parking meters in the Central Business District parking lots to 3 hours. Formal action will be taken by the Village Council at this Special Public Meeting.

Posted on 9 Comments

PARKING NEWS FOR VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD EFFECTIVE 1/5/15

unnamed-9

photo by Boyd Loving

PARKING NEWS FOR VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD EFFECTIVE 1/5/15
****************
1.  ALL parking meters will have 3 HOUR time limits.
(including municipal lots)
More time to shop and dine for customers
EMPLOYEES AND OUT OF TOWN COMMUTERS
CAN NO LONGER PARK THERE.

2.  ALL METERS WILL BE 50 CENTS AN HOUR.

3.  REPEAT PARKING WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

4.  *Employees can buy monthly passes to park at
Village Hall.  The cost is $80 per month.
Supply is very limited. Credit cards accepted.

5.  Employee parking passes can be used at the Ken Smith lot and Cottage Place lot (behind the GAP).

These changes will make a significant
impact for our customer base.
Please tell your employees and customer
about the changes.
For more details and information call
*Village of Ridgewood 201-670-5500 x200 ,br>
Microsoft Store

Posted on 1 Comment

Planning Board Amended Meeting To Discuss Master Plan Tonight

neighborhood-of-make-believe

Planning Board Amended Meeting To Discuss Master Plan Tonight

Schedule – December 16th at BFMS

Master Plan recommended changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Change of Location

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014, in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ – 7:30 P.M

The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area, creating the AH-2, B-3-R, and C-R Zone Districts and amending the existing C Zone District.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Posted on 5 Comments

Readers Debate Development in Downtown Ridgewood

imgres-1
Readers Debate Development in Downtown Ridgewood 

This is a thoughtful letter but I have to disagree. Multi-unit housing is preferable to deteriorating empty lots, and environmentally makes better use of land and resources.

Today there are fewer drivers, smaller families and a huge baby boomer population who will find this an attractive lifestyle option. Presumably any expanded services needed to accommodate this growth will be absorbed by the additional tax base.
I’ve lived in a Ridgewood single family house 20+ years, kids done with college; would welcome some options to stay in town without the responsibility of home ownership/maintenance.

Excellent letter — most folks living here don’t want another 400 or 500 apartments downtown — or the other buildings that will follow these initial proposals.

To the person who commented “I’ve lived in a Ridgewood single family house 20+ years, kids done with college;” — you are in luck — i saw rental signs on the apartments in town today. Call a realtor and they will help you find a rental. Or, you can move ten minutes down the road to Hackensack where you will find abundant rentals.

Posted on 3 Comments

Apartment proposals would change village

Clock_Ridgewood_theridgewopodblog.net_-164

Apartment proposals would change village

Barbara B. Eaton

December 12, 2014    Last updated: Friday, December 12, 2014, 1:51 PM
The Ridgewood News

To the editor:

Thank you to all who planned and worked, mentally and physically, to ring in the Christmas season, attract and please all the faiths in town, make everyone feel welcome, and spread friendliness and joy.

The music, speeches, tree decorated, Santa on his way, shops waiting a busy time … and then it rains.

My family and I moved to Ridgewood in 1950. I have led a very active volunteer life and was often involved with outdoor events, so I well know that awful feeling about the weather, so my heart goes out to all who were in charge for the lovely Christmas tree lighting event. Again, thank you to all.

After having raised a family in a house here in town, I moved to a then-brand new apartment near the railroad station and for years have enjoyed a view of the tree from my living room, so I have shared with so many the beauty of our village at Christmas.

Every week, I read your paper regarding the plans and dreams of the brave people who volunteer to tackle the past, present and not tested problems of the future. I would like to warn that going the way of a lot more apartments is going to change the feeling of the town, not only in appearance but the people whom would be interested in occupying them.

I do not know whether the apartments will be rentals or condos. They would draw different people. Really, neither would be particularly interested in the life of the town particularly if they commute to work. In many cases, if the tenants or owners are retired, there is a good chance they would have a second home some place other than New Jersey.

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-apartment-proposals-would-change-village-1.1152576

Posted on 7 Comments

Enclave to Host On-Site Open House at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue

View-8-

Enclave to Host On-Site Open House at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue

Enclave to Host On-Site Open House December 9th

RIDGEWOOD, NJ, December 9, 2014 – The developers of Enclave, a proposed 52-unit luxury apartment building on Maple Avenue between East Ridgewood and Franklin, will host an open house to present new data that answers lingering questions about prospective resident populations and other issues that have arisen during recent Planning Board hearings.

The meeting will be held at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue – the property that has applied to be considered to a Master Plan Amendment that would allow upscale apartments in Downtown Ridgewood – at 7:30 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 9th.

“Ridgewood’s planner has done a thorough job in modeling impacts and assessing benefits from prospective luxury apartment development in Downtown Ridgewood, but the legally required format to convey information has frustrated the public,” says John Saraceno, developer of the Enclave and himself a Ridgewood resident.

“Ridgewood residents have asserted a nearly unprecedented challenge to their planning professionals and planning board members to assure rents and household sizes,” says Mr. Saraceno.  “Some cynics believe those demands are a ploy to confound the process; but we took our neighbors at their word and we have developed data that supports the previous submissions of professionals – including those employed by the Village.  The numbers are undeniably persuasive and to sincerely interested people, the resulting data set that should allay their concerns.”

Of the four properties that have applied for consideration as luxury apartment locations, two are on the sites of former car dealerships; one is the site of the former DMV inspection location; and the final is the Enclave.  Each of the sites is zoned for office and/or other commercial uses whose traffic and quality of life impacts will be greater than the proposed residential development, but whose property tax contributions will be lower.  Each site essentially allows the same scope of development for other uses and each allows residential development.   The proposed amendment increases allowable heights modestly (by less than 4 feet) and would allow the developers to use their current buildable area (square footage) for residential rather than the currently permitted commercial or residential-above-retail.

“We have held five previous sessions in discussion formats where we can explore the data and explain things in a friendlier environment, and it is very helpful for people who are truly interested in obtaining information.  We also think that actually having people on the site will bring the project to life and demonstrate the advantageous of allowing retail rather than currently permitted uses.

“With the testimony of the Planner behind us and the final public comment period in front of us – plus now knowing the prospective resident profile – we felt it was a good time to have one last session to clear up any remaining doubts about the appeal of adding luxury residences downtown to sites where they are clearly the most beneficial, least impactful future use.”

www.downtownridgewood.com hosts a variety of documents related to the submissions to the Planning Board from the four developers applying for status under the proposed amendment.

Esurance

Posted on 2 Comments

Couple drops downtown lifestyle for Glen Rock suburbia

DSCF3118

Couple drops downtown lifestyle for Glen Rock suburbia

DECEMBER 7, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY DONNA ROLANDO
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD |
THE RECORD

New Glen Rock residents Nidhi Verma and Anant Aditya have the suburban home they wanted only because of the strategy they employed to break free from a life of convenience in Jersey City that had a powerful hold on them.

The first-time home buyers, in their early 30s, saw that their real estate search was getting nowhere, so they used a stopgap measure — a Secaucus rental — to toughen their resolve to buy in suburbia. It was what they needed at the time, the couple said, to leave their comfort zone at their Newport development in Jersey City with its 24-hour stores and easy commute.

“Newport is like 24/7 activity,” raved Aditya as his wife recalled the Rite Aid that was open all night right below their rental and the gym with a swimming pool right across the street, as well as the nearby parks.

“There was a lot we were leaving behind,” she said.

That’s when they decided on a short-term rental in Secaucus, knowing it would keep them focused on where they really wanted to raise their 3-year-old son — Bergen County suburbia — and that it could be a good first step in making the transition from, as Aditya described it, “downtown to suburban life.”

Their comfortable lifestyle included a dream commute to their jobs as software professionals. In fact, while Verma had to travel just 30 minutes to get to work, her husband could walk to the office.

https://www.northjersey.com/towns/from-urbs-to-burbs-with-a-push-1.1147943

Posted on 9 Comments

Ridgewood should not settle for average

Clock_Ridgewood_theridgewopodblog.net_-163

Ridgewood should not settle for average

December 6, 2014

To the Editor:

The developers proposing high-density developments have said traffic shouldn’t be an issue and schools would experience minimal increases in enrollment. It appears that they might have succeeded in convincing some of the Planning Board members.

Before accepting developers’ conclusions, we need to decide on a proper analytical framework. To do so, we can employ the elementary concepts of statistics. The developers are showing us the average cases. Traffic should be fine most of the time. Schools should not be incrementally crowded for many of the grades. However, we know this is not the way to look at the problem. Instead of the average, we need to focus on the bottlenecks and the possible extremes the proposed plans could generate.

What the developers are telling us is analogous to a stranger telling us that it’s safe to walk across a lake because the average depth of the lake is five feet. Clearly, this piece of information is insufficient. What we should find out is the maximum depth of the lake, the worst-case scenario.

Using the worst-case framework, we can reach the following conclusions:

High-density development will exacerbate traffic when it counts the most — the commuting hours. These are compact few hours of the day, but the number of people affected and the amount of pain experienced will be exponentially higher.

High-density development will also create overcrowding at certain (not all) grade levels. Moreover, the volatility of student enrollment is likely to rise with ongoing tendency for spikes. Therefore, for students, being impacted by class overcrowding will be based on the luck of the draw.

Given these negative scenarios, why would we want high-density development? How could certain members of the Planning Board possibly think this is a good idea? Why are we playing a treacherous game of three-card Monte with the future of this town?

Steve Kim

Ridgewood

Posted on 23 Comments

Central Business District Panel Discussions – January 21, 2015 at 7:30PM

jpeg

Central Business District  Panel Discussions – January 21, 2015 at 7:30PM

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli has scheduled another CBD Panel Discussion for January 21, 2015 from 7:30PM to 9PM. It will be held in the Village Hall Court Room. The two topics for discussion will be – CBD Parking and Blue Laws.

Share the Joy of Christmas! Shop Christmas Flowers & Gifts Starting at $19.99. Only at 1800flowers.com! (Offer Ends 12/24/2014)show?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=216823

Posted on 6 Comments

Ridgewood developer to hold open house

View-8--300x199

https://downtownridgewood.com/253-257-east-ridgewood-ave-the-enclave-253-257-ridgewood-avenue-llc-6/

Ridgewood developer to hold open house

DECEMBER 5, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Enclave developer to hold open house

The development team proposing the Enclave upscale apartment building on Maple Avenue between East Ridgewood and Franklin avenues will host an open house beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 257 E. Ridgewood Ave.

The meeting is open to all village residents.

Developers for the 52-unit Enclave complex, as well as those proposing the Chestnut Village and the Dayton luxury housing projects, are seeking an amendment to the Ridgewood master plan that would permit high-density, multifamily housing in and around the Central Business District.

The master plan application is currently in the public hearing process before the Planning Board.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-developer-to-hold-open-house-1.1146850

Posted on 10 Comments

Ridgewood Waters FAQ could take out downtown development with a flush

waterheader2

 

Ridgewood Waters FAQ could take out downtown development with a flush 
December 4, 2014
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On July 17 , during the annual summer water restrictions David Scheibner, Ridgewood Water’s business director, said the developments, proposed for the Central Business District (CBD) would not strain the village’s water supply. https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-experts-weigh-in-on-housing-proposals-1.1053299?page=all

Yet according to Ridgewood Waters recent FAQ posted on the Village website , we are told  the vast majority of unexpectedly high consumption is due to lawn sprinklers and toilets .

So the new multi housing plan for the Central Business district will not involve flushing toilets ?

As for handling waste water  no mention here.

 

Ridgewood Water – Quarterly Billing FAQ

Quarterly Billing FAQ

The following facts may be useful:

Each meter removed is tested for accuracy. If over-registering were to be discovered, we would follow the refund procedure New Jersey Board of Public Utilities requires.

New meters are similarly high in accuracy. They also have features that can be used to help determine the causes of unusually high consumption.

In certain circumstances where a customer had been receiving estimated bills, over/underestimation may have occurred which could result in an unusually high bill or credit.

Any customer receiving an unusually high bill after a period of estimated bills is eligible for a deferred payment arrangement with no interest charges. Any account that was improperly charged interest will be credited for those charges.

The new meters will provide actual readings remotely with no hindrance to the customer.

If you would like to obtain a reading yourself on the new meter, simply shine a flashlight on the display and it will activate. Two screens will then cycle. The first will be the current read and the second is a rate screen which shows the current gallons per minute passing through the meter.

The vast majority of unexpectedly high consumption is due to lawn sprinklers and toilets.

Many people do not realize or notice that water may be trickling from the toilet tank into the bowl and down the drain. This can really add up when it’s happening 24/7. Ridgewood Water has free dye tablets that can be used to determine if this is happening.

Verizon announced in May 2014 that they would be discontinuing the access to their system for meter reading by the end of the month. That deadline was extended to the end of December.

If you have any further question please contact our Customer Service Department at 201-670-5500 ext. 269 or 275 M-F 8:30 – 4:30. You can also contact us by email at [email protected]

Posted on 3 Comments

Ridgewood an increasingly significant restaurant town; Cafe 37 a reason

l

Ridgewood an increasingly significant restaurant town; Cafe 37 a reason
By Teresa Politano | The Star-Ledger

Of all the salads, the kale salad is most virtuous. You choose it with a certain smugness; it’s a healthier-than-thou selection.And then a chef sneaks in a bit of hazelnut and almond in the vinaigrette dressing, and your kale salad is suddenly perky and flirty and coy, sparking unexpected interest from the manly man meat-eater at the table. Then, boom, before you know it, the kale salad is gone, consumed like so many crisp, fresh French fries. Kale. Who knew?

The kale salad ($12), with avocado, blood orange slices and feta, is just one of the unexpected surprises at Café 37. It’s also, not surprisingly, the most popular salad on the menu.

Ridgewood has long been a town with good dining options, but in recent years, the scene has become even more competitive and dynamic. Café 37, which opened in 2012, remains one of the reasons.

https://www.nj.com/dining/2014/11/ridgewood_an_increasingly_sign.html

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Kate Spade Offers Splurge and Save – Nov. 25 – Dec. 2

EF3A0868

Kate Spade Offers Splurge and Save – Nov. 25 – Dec. 2

Swing by Kate Spade from Tuesday November 25 till Tuesday December 2

Spend $250, Enjoy $50 Off
Spend $500, Enjoy $125 Off
Spend $750, Enjoy $225 Off
Spend $1000, Enjoy $350 Off

Full-priced and Sale Purchases

WAIT, THERE’S MORE…
Shop a Select Assortment of our iconic Gramercy Grand watches at a Festive Price of $125 (They’re usually $225)

Kate Spade
202 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 689-6204