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Posted on November 20, 2025November 21, 2025 by James — Leave a comment

Update: What’s Next for Saddle River’s Other Controversial “Affordable Housing” Sites?

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Failure to show tangible progress on these key sites by the December 31st deadline could lead to the Fair Share Housing Center asking the courts to revoke Saddle River’s immunity, exposing the borough to the risk of “builder’s remedy” lawsuits and court-ordered high-density development

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Saddle River NJ, the recent approval of the AvalonBay Communities development marks a significant, albeit legally contentious, step for Saddle River in meeting its state-mandated “affordable housing” obligations.

Continue reading Update: What’s Next for Saddle River’s Other Controversial “Affordable Housing” Sites?

Posted on November 15, 2025November 15, 2025 by James — 4 Comments

Showdown in Bergen County: Franklin Lakes Faces December Deadline to Settle Affordable Housing Dispute or Risk Builder’s Remedy Lawsuits!

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Zero Affordable Homes?! Franklin Lakes Slammed by Fair Housing Group Over Lowball Quota—A Decisive Legal Battle is Brewing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin Lakes NJ, Franklin Lakes, a high-income borough in Bergen County, is in a high-stakes negotiation battle to avoid losing its immunity against devastating builder’s remedy lawsuits.

Continue reading Showdown in Bergen County: Franklin Lakes Faces December Deadline to Settle Affordable Housing Dispute or Risk Builder’s Remedy Lawsuits!

Posted on November 15, 2025November 15, 2025 by James — 4 Comments

Legal Battle Erupts: Developer Sues Bergen County Town, Alleges Mayor Trying to Block “Affordable Housing” and “Diversity Efforts”

Did a Bergen County Mayor Try to Stop Affordable Housing and Block Diversity? The Fight for Fair Housing in Emerson

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Emerson NJ, a developer is leveling serious accusations against the governing body of Emerson, New Jersey, and its mayor, Danielle DiPaola, claiming they are actively working to obstruct a vital affordable housing project. The claims, made in a lawsuit filed in Bergen County Superior Court on November 7, suggest the resistance is an attempt to prevent “racially diverse minorities” from moving into the community.

Continue reading Legal Battle Erupts: Developer Sues Bergen County Town, Alleges Mayor Trying to Block “Affordable Housing” and “Diversity Efforts”

Posted on December 19, 2023December 19, 2023 by James — 9 Comments

The Perils of Overdevelopment in Flood Zones: A Looming Environmental Crisis in Ridgewood

Overdevelopment in Flood Zones is a County wide problem

photos by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, over the past few decades, rapid urbanization and population growth have led to increased pressure on land use, often pushing development into vulnerable areas, including flood zones. While urban expansion brings economic opportunities and infrastructural advancements, the dangers associated with overdevelopment in flood-prone regions are becoming increasingly evident. This article delves into the environmental and societal perils of unchecked development in flood zones, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable land-use practices.

Continue reading The Perils of Overdevelopment in Flood Zones: A Looming Environmental Crisis in Ridgewood

Posted on January 22, 2023January 22, 2023 by James — 16 Comments

Village , County and State look to Address Flooding Issues in Ridgewood

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photo courtesy of County Commissioner and former Mayor Ramon M. Hache Sr

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, County Commissioner and former Mayor Ramon M. Hache Sr. brought together Bergen County, the NJDEP, the Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Board of Education to find solutions to address the flooding issues that have wreaked havoc on our athletic fields and municipal complex. Also present Village of Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos, Councilwomen Siobhan Crann Winograd and Ridgewood BOE President Mike Lembo.

Continue reading Village , County and State look to Address Flooding Issues in Ridgewood

Posted on July 3, 2021July 2, 2021 by James — 13 Comments

“Stand up to Clear Cutting in Ridgewood”

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a group of residents on the east side of Ridgewood have organized a petition to protest the clear cutting of over 250 trees. According to the group the condominium community located at Carriage Lane in Ridgewood had a buffer requirement as part of its landscaping plan .

Continue reading “Stand up to Clear Cutting in Ridgewood”

Posted on July 15, 2020July 14, 2020 by James — 31 Comments

One Village, One Vote is going to open flood gates for high density housing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the group One Village, One Vote is the brainchild of residents Bob Fuhrman, Matthew Lindenberg, Stacey Loscalzo , Deborah Steinbaum and Siobhan Crann Winograd.
All were active in the high density development in the central business district .

Continue reading One Village, One Vote is going to open flood gates for high density housing

Posted on November 24, 2019November 24, 2019 by James — 5 Comments

Court Rules Against Development in Single Family Zone in Paramus

the staff of thenRidgewood blog

Paramus NJ, a New Jersey appeals court has upheld the Paramus zoning board’s decision to reject a 35-unit multi-family development in a part of the borough that is zoned for single-family homes only. The developer Highview Homes proposed a 45-unit development for the site that would include parking and other amenities in 2016. Homes had purchased 1.8 acres on Sorbello Road,the project required that three single-family homes on the property be demolished.

Posted on September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 by James — 16 Comments

Visioning Questionnaire : Residents Worry Most About Ridgewood Maintaining a “Small Town Feel”

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The purpose of the Visioning Questionnaire (VQ) was to provide a means to capture the sentiments, opinions, and ideas of as many residents as possible about a wide range of topics in Ridgewood today and into the future.

The results of the VQ, combined with the results of the other methods for engaging residents during the visioning process, will inform the values, principles, goals, and priorities that guide the creation of Ridgewood’s next Master Plan.

Posted on September 3, 2019September 2, 2019 by James — 1 Comment

Judge Rules Against Glen Rock Senior High Density Housing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, A Superior Court judge has struck down a variance granted to an age-restricted apartment project planned for a Prospect Street residential zone in Glen Rock,In 2017, the Glen Rock Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the variance permitting construction of the 52-unit rental complex in a single-family residential zone adjacent to a Ridgewood Water facility. The Glen Park Village project was first pitched as senior housing in 2013, but just months before the zoning board’s 2017 decision, the Glen Rock Borough Council twice rejected ordinances against rezoning the 2-acre property to permit high-density housing. Their consideration came at the request of Glen Park. A neighbor-driven petition was given to the council in advance of their vote. The council’s action prompted the developer to pursue a use variance with the zoning board.

Posted on December 29, 2018March 23, 2019 by James — 2 Comments

Apple Ridge Environmental Tragedy Continues

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, Derek Michalski reports again on the runoff from the Toll Brother site at Apple Ridge, “Dark and Stormy in USR today on this gloomy Friday December 28, 2018. We are experiencing heavy rain and another storm water violation on the part of Toll Brothers in Upper Saddle River. This time laden with arsenic and lead mud (sorry “colloidal clay” as NJDEP wants us to call this 12th month long pollution) is allowed to being discharged directly into our public drains. And not even one Toll Brothers employee or USR town zoning officer on the site paying attention to lack of silt barriers and even the cheepest hay barriers. Truly pathetic how this site is being overseen.

Posted on November 10, 2018January 20, 2019 by James — 3 Comments

Emerson Elects its First Female Mayor

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courtesy of Danielle DiPaola’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Emerson NJ, Emerson has elected its first women mayor . Danielle DiPaola, a longtime Republican councilwoman, running against over development ousted the borough’s Democratic mayor in Tuesday’s election .

Continue reading Emerson Elects its First Female Mayor

Posted on October 18, 2018January 21, 2019 by James — 1 Comment

BREAKING : Toll Brothers Has Stopped ALL Pumping Activities into Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River

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photo by Derek Michalski

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, after 10 months of questionable practice of pumping mud into Pleasant Brook Toll Brothers stopped ALL pumping activities into the brook over the weekend. Houses, pumps and generators used to power these pumps were also removed from 19 Meadowbrook Rd. construction site In Upper Saddle River.

Continue reading BREAKING : Toll Brothers Has Stopped ALL Pumping Activities into Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River

Posted on October 15, 2018October 15, 2018 by James — 8 Comments

He Who Promotes High Density Housing Does Not Get to Complain About its Effects

Reader says , “Don’t get too mad at her, she probably doesn’t even have the self awareness/common sense to understand the consequences of what she and the garage/high density crowd have done. Tim Whiting is another, loud garage supporter who now complains about how high the annual parking fees are. He also recently struggled to understand the difference between motivational banners for the football team and the “proper message for students”. Birds of feather…”

Posted on October 14, 2018October 13, 2018 by James — 6 Comments

Aronsohn Apologist Has Nerve to Complain About Traffic Congestion in the Ridgewood’s Central Business District

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, on one of the many Ridgewood Facebook pages a poster said loved to walk in Ridgewood but cars need to heed New Jersey state traffic law .

MOTORISTS in New Jersey MUST stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Failure to observe the law may subject you to one or more of the following:
2 POINTS
$200 FINE (plus court costs)
15 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE
INSURANCE SURCHARGES
NEW JERSEY STATUTE 39:4-36 states:
-The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk.

Continue reading Aronsohn Apologist Has Nerve to Complain About Traffic Congestion in the Ridgewood’s Central Business District

Failure to show tangible progress on these key sites by the December 31st deadline could lead to the Fair Share Housing Center asking the courts to revoke Saddle River’s immunity, exposing the borough to the risk of “builder’s remedy” lawsuits and court-ordered high-density development

Zero Affordable Homes?! Franklin Lakes Slammed by Fair Housing Group Over Lowball Quota—A Decisive Legal Battle is Brewing

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