“Valley is not going to build affordable housing there. That “plan” is only if they decide not to have medical facilities there. The article in the paper indicated they are never going to build housing. So all this worrying is for nothing. And all of Councilman Douchebag’s grandstanding is just that – grandstanding.”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 2019 Ridgewood Parking Application ,Sale Started December 17, 2018.
https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/images/doc00374220181214152950.pdf
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Virtue signaling, spelled virtue signaling in the United States, is the conspicuous expression of moral values.[1] The term was first used in signaling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue—especially piety among the religious,[2] but more recently support of progressive political norms and social justice.
The real idea is that you are better or morally superior and Virtue-signalers aren’t in any way in doubt about their own virtue. What they really want to do is signal how depraved others are. In the NY Post columnist F.H. Buckley more aptly called it , “Vice signaling is a defense mechanism, meant to displace liberal guilt. There was a moment, shortly after the 2016 election, when liberals realized that ordinary Americans had turned against them, and that they had reason to do so.”
The reality is that “No Hate” signs seem to sow more division and promote an anti community . Often used by the most “Hateful” people pitting neighbor against neighbor ,squelching free speech and even worse free thought in an ever increasing mindless obedient conformity .
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, it seems many in Ridgewood are unaware of the so called Mount Laurel doctrine, the Mount Laurel doctrine is a controversial judicial interpretation of the New Jersey State Constitution. The doctrine requires that municipalities use their zoning powers in an affirmative manner to provide a realistic opportunity for the production of housing affordable to low and moderate income households.
The doctrine takes its name from the lead case in which it was first pronounced by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1975: Southern Burlington County N.A.A.C.P. v. Mount Laurel Township (commonly called Mount Laurel I), in which the plaintiffs challenged the zoning ordinance of Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey, on the grounds that it operated to exclude low and moderate income persons from obtaining housing in the municipality.
In 1985 the New Jersey Legislature responded by passing the Fair Housing Act. Accepting the premise that there was some constitutional obligation for municipalities to foster some degree of affordable housing, this legislation created an administrative agency, the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), to establish regulations whereby the obligation of each municipality in terms of the number of units and how the obligation could be satisfied.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, according to Northjersey.com , some Ridgewood merchants did not even know about the “free parking” on Saturdays .
Sorry folks but it is amazing how uninformed the public is about what is going on in the Village, the county and the state .
The “free” Saturday parking was emailed twice by the Village ,appeared on the chamber of Commerce site and was on this blog a number of times as well as all over Facebook and other social media sites.
I want to remind Central Business District Merchants that tax payers are building you a parking garage at great cost ,where you are the prime beneficiaries .
While many options were tired to improve parking , most of the Village merchants did not appear to lift one finger to participate in any of those efforts , including utilizing the employee parking spaces.
New Jersey is….
1st in the nation for highest property taxes
3rd most expensive state to live in
5th in the nation for highest per student school spending
5th in the nation for highest state income tax
6th most expensive state to purchase a home
#1 most densely populated state in the nation with 1,216 people per square mile
Land is at a premium and developers want to cash in and develop every last inch
FACT: Renting or owning a home should be affordable to NJ residents who qualify, but not at the expense of local ordinance that is contrary to NJ municipal land use law.
FACT: NJ’s affordable housing (AH) mandates are not working and our government is not listening to the voice of the people – who support AH but want it to be implemented fairly, honestly and sensibly.
FACT: The current pace of proposed AH development is not reasonable or sustainable and will be catastrophic to towns, schools, volunteer emergency services, infrastructure and to NJ’s natural resources, ecosystems, waterways and environment.
What We Want
1) We believe municipal AH obligations should not be determined by the courts and that there should be clear, statewide guidelines to follow.
2) “Builder’s remedy” lawsuits should be eliminated as a mechanism used to satisfy a municipality’s AH obligations.
3) We believe the laws governing AH must consider the impact on our schools, roads, traffic and congestion, emergency services and the preservation of open space and our quality of life.
4) NJ’s environment must be protected from sprawl and overdevelopment; AH should not be built on environmentally-sensitive land or land that has been remediated from contamination.
5) AH that is built should not “expire” and should count towards all future AH rounds and obligations.
6) We, the residents of NJ, seek to disband the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) who takes our hard-earned tax dollars to enrich the wallets of lawyers and developers at the expense of NJ’s future.
7) We, the people, demand a bi-partisan review of AH and legislative reform to make NJ’s affordable housing fair.
We are calling for reasonable ways to address the current problems to enact clear legislative guidelines that will: 1) ensure that AH benefits those in need; 2) implement a regional or statewide approach; 3) expand the ways in which municipalities can address their fair share of affordable housing—FAIRLY!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Why wait on long lines to meet Santa?? Come to the Ben and Jerry’s in Ridgewood to get a photo with Santa, enjoy one of our euphoric hot fudge sundaes, and our heart-warming hot chocolate bar!!!
Cost: $10 before 12/15 which includes a digital copy of your picture with Santa, a sundae and hot chocolate, $13 at the door.
We will be collecting monetary gifts for Ridgecrest Senior Housing Go Green Project. Please bring a donation to receive 10% off of your future purchases at Ben and Jerry’s.
SUNDAES WITH SANTA
Date: Sunday December 16th, 2018
Time: 12pm- 3pm
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood has negotiated a pending settlement that outlines what the village’s obligation is, in terms of units of Affordable Housing of 55 instead of 838 , all to have been located in the Central Business District.
Wanting immunity from potential developers’ lawsuits, the village is proposing to increase the density of some zones and to create a redevelopment plan for The Valley Hospital site.
Instead of the courts forcing 838 units on the Village of Ridgewood , the Village will adopt a new amended zoning with redevelopment in mind, creating affordable housing opportunities.
This means that increasing the permitted density in the B1 and B2 downtown districts by six to 18 units per acre and North Maple/Goffle Avenue B2 districts to permit 12 and 20 units per acre. In addition, an AH3 district will be created with graduated 14 to 18 units per acre density near Racetrack Road and Route 17.
There will also be a mandatory set-aside ordinance for incoming development to include 20 percent affordable units if the project obtains a use variance. All these increased densities are far lower than the high density housing the Aronsohn Administration agreed to for the Central Business District.
Existing Affordable Housing
Ridgecrest Apartments – 12 units
Woodside Gardens – 4 units
Broadway Condominiums – 4 units
Approved development projects
KS Broad – 9 off-site affordable (provided at Enclave), 60 market-rate units
The Enclave – 6 affordable, 39 market-rate units
Ridgewood Dayton – 14 affordable, 93 total units
Two Forty/Chestnut Village – 7 affordable, 43 total units ( this is being disputed by owner )
screen shot from a video filmed by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD Patrol Officer Raymond Tarino assists a motorist whose cell phone dropped through a slotted protective grate and fell into a storm drain near 205 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood late Friday afternoon, 12/14. The device was successfully recovered by Officer Tarino and immediately returned to its owner.
I think it is past the point of no return. From Aronsohn to Knudsen to Realtor in Chief we have been taken for a ride. Deservedly so as this town is full of snobs who don’t really care about town management. As long as their leaves are swept, recycling is picked up on time and streets are clean of snow they are just fine (actually management of these issues sucks big time). As more of these types move into Ridgewood the situation will only get worse. We all came together against Valley but nobody gives a peep about the incredible and permanent impact all this housing will bring. In hindsight I wish Valley stayed. I would rather have doctor’s offices all around the village than ugly buildings and crowded streets and schools. Too late now. Unless we all rise and contest this travesty with housing at a time when people in droves are laving NJ we are finished. We are about to become a city. By the time we will all look to sell and leave we won’t even get our money’s worth. Developers are trying to maximize and occupy every inch they can get because they face no resistance by our chosen officials. Looking at the development site on Broad St they are digging foundations just about 5-10 feet from the train tracks. RW is their playground now but we are too stupid to realize.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 will hold their annual senior citizens Christmas party in the Parish Center at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Sunday, December 16th, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Guests will be treated to a buffet lunch, entertainment, Christmas carols, and a surprise visit from Santa Claus. The Knights are proud to host this event every year, honoring the finest citizens of Ridgewood.
For more information, please call Mark Stappenbeck at (201) 444-3346
ANNUAL PARKING PERMITS AND FREE PARKING IN VILLAGE PARKING LOTS ON SPECIFIC SATURDAYS
Village Manager Heather A. Mailander
Ridgewood NJ,The 2019 Annual Commuter (Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP) will go on sale on Monday, December 17,2018 at 8:30 a.m. at the Reception Desk in the lobby of Village Hall, and will continue to be sold Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to4:30 p.m., except holidays. All applicants must bring their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) for car(s) they wish tolist on their permits, as the RPPs allow up to 3 cars on each hang tag. The RPPs allow commuters to park in designated Ridgewoodparking lots without having to pay the parking meters. The following is a summary of the Ridgewood Parking Permits (RPPs) and their prices:
Premium RPP – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Train Station lot, Prospect Street lot, and allRidgewood lots, including Route 17 Park and Ride lot. A Premium RPP may not be used in the Hudson parking lot. A maximumof 155 Premium RPPs will be sold, on a first come, first served basis.
Hudson Lot – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Hudson parking lot only, with a guaranteedparking space. When the Hudson parking lot is closed, due to the construction of the parking garage, those residents with a Hudson parking lotpermit will participate in a ride share program, through December 31, 2019. Residents who purchase Hudson parking lot permits must purchase apremium Ridgewood parking permit at the end of 2019 in order to continue to participate in the ride share program until the parking garage opens in2020.
Non-Premium RPP – $975 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in Chestnut Street lot, North Walnut Street lot, CottagePlace lot, and Route 17 Park and Ride lot.
Park and Ride RPP – $975 annual fee – this price is for both Ridgewood residents and non-residents, and allows parking in theRoute 17 Park and Ride lot.
Non-resident RPP in Central Business District – $1,950 annual fee – allows non-residents to park in the Cottage Place lot.
Ridgewood Resident Commuter Sticker – Free – All Ridgewood resident commuters who wish to park at the train station must bringin their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) to obtain a free Ridgewood Resident Commuter sticker. Free Ridgewood ResidentCommuter stickers will also be issued to all Ridgewood residents purchasing RPPs and the Hudson Lot permit.
The Village will accept checks, cash, or credit cards (with a 3% transaction fee to the user) for payment.
There are also Central Business District (CBD) Employee stickers and hang tags that may be purchased by those who work in the CBD and allows parkingat designated meters in the North Walnut Street and Cottage Place lots.
For more information, please visit our website: www.ridgewoodnj.net.
photo courtesy of RH
First, the parking garage; next, the Jehovah’s witnesses loitering the parameters. Here is my conspiracy: we are entering what is most comparable to what was seen on Handmaids tale… we are all under surveillance, and as a woman, I have fear for what’s to come for our humble village. Will there be any saving grace for our town. What is this tower? Why are there four cameras and tinted windows? Why hasn’t anyone told us what it is for? Why do we need a parking garage when we also have the Mount Carmel parking? Why are Jehovah’s witnesses than ever? Is our country under attack without our knowledge… tbd.
James, re housing:
Ok, cant disagree with the recommendation on who to vote for. But why does Ridgewood seem to be taking it on the chin? Why aren’t we fighting? Why isn’t our council actively supporting those representatives trying to undo this housing madness? Why does our legal representation seem so weak? Why did the council fold like a cheap suit when Village residents sued to stop the development and why did the council side with the developers over the residents? Why doesn’t the Village come up with some other proposal rather than agreeing to do a percentage of the squalid housing now being constructed?
So, it seems to me that the Council just agreed to plant hundreds if not thousands of new units throughout the Village.
file photo by Boyd Loving
The village council has shown no regard for rising taxes and in fact has only acted to ensure they will continue to go up. The garage will eventually need property taxes to pay the million dollar annual gap between expense and parking revenue. With high density housing our schools will be overloaded forever and that budget will only grow by large numbers. $15 min wage will crush all CBD businesses and that will lower tax receipts there, a gap higher local property taxes will have to cover. As housing sales on the highest property tax homes in town see price erosion the lower assessments will get covered by…higher local property taxes. Meanwhile, the village spends like fools and hikes fees everywhere.
