Tag: Central Business District

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Ridgewood Planning Board Approves High Density 35 Unit per Acre Plan for Central Business District

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June 3,2015
the staff of the Roidgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, 35 Units per acre was approved by the Ridgewood Planning Board in a 6  to 3 vote, in what can only be described as a victory for special interests over the residents of the Village . Last night the Planning Board approved a  change to the Village master plan from a density of 12 units per acre (current) to a density of 35 units per acre (almost triple) , giving the Village Central Business District a higher density than Hackensack 22 units per acre, Teaneck 28 units per acre, or Fair Lawn 17 units per acre.

According to Citizens for a better Ridgewood ,( CBR ) YES VOTES FROM….David Thurston (works in commercial real estate), Nancy Bigos (works for our parks and recreation), Mayor Paul Aronsohn (excited to open the door to high density), Charles Nalbantian (has sat on the board way too long, the public seems to annoy him), Richard Joel (has young children in our schools), Kevin Reilly (seemed hesitant to vote Yes, but did anyway) NO VOTES FROM…Council Woman Knudsen, Wendy Dockrey and Michele Peters. ALL THREE NO VOTES WANTED DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS MORE IN CHARACTER WITH OUR VILLAGE WITH DENSITIES CLOSER TO 24. THEY WANTED OTHER OPTIONS THAT BLAIS FAILED TO GIVE THEM. THEY PUSHED FOR OPTIONS LAST NIGHT AND THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD REFUSED TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSIONS.

While opponents of the high density Master Plan change look for other options , many  wonder if this now opens the door to a court victory for Valley’s major expansion?

CBR is still circulating there petition to stop the over development of the Village https://www.change.org/p/ridgewood-nj-planning-board-village-council-vote-no-on-the-high-density-housing-amendment-at-35-units-per-acre-last-minute-petition?just_created=true .

The petition was ignored last night with Planning Board Attorney Gail Price calling it , “hear say” and Chris Harris of the Record claiming , “a bunch of names are not even from Ridgewood” .

There is an opportunity to speak Mayor Paul Aronsohn how will be holding office hours for Ridgewood residents this Saturday. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, June 6 from 9AM to Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall. For an appointment to meet with the Mayor, please call the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 206. You may come to the Mayor’s office hours without an appointment, but those with appointments will be given priority.

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Central Business District Employee Permits – CBDEP

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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

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Improving our Central Business District

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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

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Ridgewood Police conduct Pedestrian Safety Enforcement in the Central Business District

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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.

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