Tag: “Citizens For A Better Ridgewood”

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood group responds to master plan amendment

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MAY 1, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Stop planning for profit

To the Editor:

Ridgewood is facing significant zoning changes that will forever change the character of our village. An amendment to the master plan that would significantly increase permitted housing density in downtown Ridgewood seems imminent. Public hearings have continued for more than two years, and more than 100 residents have gone on record to advocate for a cautious approach and to express concern about the size, scale and density of the proposed housing developments.

However, it was obvious at the last meeting on April 21 that the Planning Board is proceeding without any regard to public opinion and is tailoring our master plan to suit the needs of the developers. We expected Village Planner Blais Brancheau to come to the meeting with answers to questions and options for moving forward. Instead, Mr. Brancheau sat with his back to the residents, provided no handouts or visuals to help the public follow along and presented a revised amendment that appears to be a gift to the developers.

The revised amendment once again offers a “one size fits all” approach to housing that defies principles of sound planning and haphazardly groups parcels of land together in order to push through high-density housing. Mr. Brancheau has yet to provide any analysis or evidence as to why we need to increase the density from the 18 to 24 units per acre average that currently exists in our downtown. As far as we can see, the new amendment increases the number of units allowed per acre to 30 to 35 (still almost tripling what is currently permitted), realigns the zones (combining the Ken Smith property with the Sealfons building) and removes three properties on Chestnut Street from consideration as a means to cap development.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn said that the revised amendment “strikes that balance between everything we have been talking about.” There is something very wrong with this picture. The amendment is looking more and more like spot zoning and our Planning Board is forging ahead.

Why must density be the same for every zone? What exactly are the unique qualities of a property that would warrant residential versus commercial use? Why combine two very different properties? Why remove properties from consideration? Where is the guarantee that other property owners in town won’t argue for these same zoning benefits? Who is driving this process?

It is unconscionable that residents who deserve responsible planning have spent over $100,000 in legal representation and still have no voice in the process. Ridgewood deserves the best solution, and we are hoping wise minds prevail. We urge the Planning Board to please stop planning for profit and start planning for the people.

Please join us at the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at Village Hall as we seek answers to the many questions regarding the changes to the amendment.

Carol Bicknese

Amy Bourque

Jennifer DiTommaso

Lori Weil

Trustees, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-to-the-editor-ridgewood-grassroots-group-responds-to-master-plan-amendment-1.1323134

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood : residents deserve best solution

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood : residents deserve best solution

To the Editor:

At a Planning Board meeting two years ago, a group of residents learned that the Planning Board would consider amending the master plan to allow up to 50 units of housing per acre in 10 acres of downtown Ridgewood. Many of us who had been attending meetings were disappointed that a compromise or scaled-down approach to adding new housing in our downtown was not put forth before moving forward with testimony.

We simply believe that residents deserve the best solution to this issue, one that enhances and supports our Central Business District and encourages a diversity of housing options while protecting the unique character of our village and the quality of life we currently enjoy.

The Planning Board is tasked with the important responsibility of finding a solution that balances benefits to the community with the potential negative effects. We understand that this is not an easy task and that the Planning Board will be making a decision that has enormous implications for the future of Ridgewood.

Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) wants to thank the Planning Board for allowing residents to have a voice in this process, and for allowing the process to proceed without rushing to a quick conclusion. We urge the Planning Board to consider all sides, to proceed cautiously and to do what’s best for Ridgewood. Please remember your residents really do care.

Amy Bourque

Lori Weil

Trustees, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood

 

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-to-the-editor-ridgewood-residents-deserve-the-best-solution-1.1271152

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Ridgewood may bar ‘ugly’ housing

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Ridgewood may bar ‘ugly’ housing

JANUARY 8, 2015, 9:16 AM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015, 9:19 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD – The village could impose restrictions on buildings within one of its proposed redevelopment areas to prevent the construction of “ugly” housing complexes downtown, an official said.

Village Planner Blais Brancheau’s comments came at Tuesday night’s Planning Board meeting, under cross-examination by Ira Weiner, an attorney representing Citizens For a Better Ridgewood.

For more than two years, the Planning Board has heard testimony on the master plan change, which, if approved and then adopted by the Village Council, would permit high-density housing complexes.

Three developers are seeking the master plan amendment, and each plans to build multifamily, high-density housing downtown if it is adopted.

Citizens For a Better Ridgewood is a grass-roots organization that says it endorses comprehensive planning, but opposes the village ordinance that allowed the three developers to request the master plan change.

Brancheau on Tuesday night responded to Weiner’s question, saying “standards could be drafted” into the master plan amendment “to avoid” certain design elements in future construction.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-may-bar-ugly-housing-1.1188596

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) endorses Knudsen, Sedon

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) endorses Knudsen, Sedon

APRIL 4, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014, 12:31 AM

CBR endorses Knudsen, Sedon

Carol Bicknese

Amy Bourque

Jennifer DiTommaso

Lori Weil

Trustees of Citizens for a Better Ridgewood

Letter to the Editor:

The future development of Ridgewood is an important issue that affects each and every one of us in our community. How we make decisions about our Master Plan and what kind of development we encourage is critical for the future of our village. The election to fill the two open seats on the Village Council on May 13 will be influential in determining which path we, as a community, will take forward. The Citizens for a Better Ridgewood is excited to endorse Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon.

This election is timely because we have serious issues confronting our Planning Board that could permanently change the character of our village and have an impact on our schools, traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, municipal services, open space, tax burden and property values. We need Village Council members who are well informed about the issues at hand, and who are able to create viable options and assess the needs of our village with an unbiased view.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-cbr-endorses-knudsen-sedon-1.841611#sthash.ZXctWH7g.dpuf

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Planner for Citizens for a Better Ridgewood testifies before planning board

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Planner for Citizens for a Better Ridgewood testifies before planning board

THURSDAY MARCH 6, 2014, 4:57 PM
BY  LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The planner for the grassroots group Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) said at Tuesday’s packed Planning Board hearing that three high-density multifamily housing developments proposed for the downtown area are “out of scale” with their surroundings.

CBR planner Brigette Bogart also said the proposed rezoning requests “appear to be akin to spot zoning,” the application of zoning to a specific parcel of land in a larger zoned area. She advised the board to engage in a cautious process, asking it to think about a “vision” for Ridgewood’s future as it moves forward. She also urged board members to consider the reasons for current master plan restrictions, as well as how the developments fit in with village concerns about parking, traffic safety, open space and increased student enrollment.

“The boundaries of a district should be based on the existing conditions of the neighborhood. From a planning perspective, there should be a clear delineation of the zone boundary lines proposed, and how these lines relate to the adjacent land uses,” she noted in her presentation, which CBR provided to The Ridgewood News.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/248894861_Planner_for_Citizens_for_a_Better_Ridgewood_testifies_before_planning_board.html#sthash.SC6wotWe.dpuf

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“Citizens for a Better Ridgewood ” tainted by the Bombace scandal

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“Citizens for a Better Ridgewood ” tainted by the Bombace scandal

It seems “Citizens for a Better Ridgewood ” is more than just a group of complainers looking to “urbanize Ridgewood ” at taxpayers expense while reaping huge profits . The group seems to also be composed of and represented by a group of bullies who will do almost anything to get their way.

Also noted in the Judge’s decision “Plaintiff received a disturbing anonymous mailing at his home which was later found to have been sent by Former Chief Bombace”

Has Bombace been charged with anything? It seems he has culpability in this matter, costing Village Taxpayers, he should not escape without being held accountable. If the Judge found a disturbing anonymous mailing having been sent by Bombace, where is the investigation from the Ridgewood Police Department or the prosecutor’s office?

This lies on his shoulders of James Bombace as Director of the Fire Dept. for the years that this harassment to place. To find out that in the Judge opinion he active participated in the harassment is telling on the type of leader he was. This is the same man that now is actively spreading rumors about our mayor is even more telling of the kind of person he really is. He should give back his pension .

This the same Bombace heading up the “Citizens For A Better Ridgewood”? Was this group formed to advance the Aronsohn/Puciarelli/Hauck ticket?

This is the same Bombase that runs the fake misinformation blog or flog known as the “Ridgewood Views” under the Andrew & Sue moniker while on the taxpayers dime ?

This is also the same James Bombace who wrote the letter in today’s Ridgewood News supporting Paul Aronsohn, Gwenn Hauck, and Albert Pucciarelli for Village Council making these candidates complicit in a premeditated plan of lies and deceit to take over the Village?

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