The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
Central Business District Employee Permits – CBDEP
Monthly Central Business District Parking Permits are available for sale at Village Hall and allows parking for employees of Ridgewood businesses at the Ken Smith property or Cottage Place Lot. The fee is $80 per month. Payment may be made by check, cash or credit card.
Further information : 201/670-5500 x203
Improving our Central Business District
JULY 11, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014, 8:04 AM
Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli
to the editor:
I had the privilege of serving as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board for almost 24 years. I enjoyed that service. I am grateful for the opportunity. I was, however, disappointed in one aspect of the work, particularly on the Planning Board.
The Planning Board is not a forum where our community-at-large can engage in a discussion of a broad vision for our Central Business District (CBD). The “planning” role has become buried in a mountain of complex applications, including applications to amend the Master Plan by applicants who pursue this route rather than trying to obtain hard-to-get variances. That has placed the Planning Board in a reactive mode. Its generous and very capable volunteer members have no choice but to devote the time required to deal with these applications.
As a quasi-judicial body, in the best of times the Planning Board is not suited for an open exchange of ideas. Instead, our citizens who desire to be heard typically are allowed only to react to testimony of an applicant or an expert. Citizen remarks during the comments period are brief monologues that are respectfully listened to, but unfortunately, this is not an opportunity for open dialogue with our Planning Board.
I was elected on a promise to seek a new vision for our CBD, insisting the status quo is not an option. Lack of parking, poor traffic flow and traffic volume, underutilized parcels, haphazard signage, few desirable residences and the shabby appearance of Franklin Avenue and Chestnut Street. Surely we can do better. Even with these issues, our CBD is the pride of residents and a magnet for new residents. Our business community enhances village life not only by the quality of goods and services, but also by many programs sponsored by the Chamber and Guild. Our home values are dependent in part upon the CBD’s vibrancy.
(Editor’s note: A forum on the CBD will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 in the Village Hall courtroom. A follow-up session will be announced at the July 23 forum).
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-improving-our-central-business-district-1.1049965#sthash.IbU6Mp7c.dpuf
all photos from the Ridgewood PD
Ridgewood Police conduct Pedestrian Safety Enforcement in the Central Business District
March 30, 2014
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department conducted a pedestrian safety enforcement in the central business district.
Plain clothes officers were utilized in the pedestrian decoy program to enforce New Jersey motor vehicle statute 39:4-36 which requires vehicles to stop and stay stopped as a pedestrian crosses the intersection in a crosswalk.
Chief John M. Ward stated on Facebook that the public can expect to see an increase in Pedestrian Safety & Pedestrian Decoy details within the CBD and around area schools and that the Ridgewood PD appreciates your continued support and will continue to announce our enforcement activity.
