TONIGHT VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING 7PM
December 22, 2014 @ 7PM
The Village Council will hold a Special Public Meeting on December 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room of the Ridgewood Village Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a Public Hearing on and consider for adoption Ordinance #3455, changing parking meters in the Central Business District parking lots to 3 hours. Formal action will be taken by the Village Council at this Special Public Meeting.
DECEMBER 19, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Planning Board got a chance to question the village planner about multifamily housing this week.
The past few hearings have been devoted to resident questions about Village Planner Blais Brancheau’s testimony on multifamily housing, which discussed the benefits for Ridgewood as well as some factors of concern to residents.
In a four-hour hearing in Benjamin Franklin Middle School on Tuesday night, about 10 residents asked remaining questions, followed by queries from Planning Board members.
This hearing, during which several questions were raised, brought the Planning Board a step closer to the eventual end of the year-long proceedings. These hearings analyzed a proposed amendment to the master plan, available on the village website, that would allow high-density multifamily housing in three downtown zones.
The next hearing will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Ridgewood High School, said Planning Board Chairman Charles Nalbantian. Board questions will continue, followed by attorney cross-examination.
Thank you to all who planned and worked, mentally and physically, to ring in the Christmas season, attract and please all the faiths in town, make everyone feel welcome, and spread friendliness and joy.
The music, speeches, tree decorated, Santa on his way, shops waiting a busy time … and then it rains.
My family and I moved to Ridgewood in 1950. I have led a very active volunteer life and was often involved with outdoor events, so I well know that awful feeling about the weather, so my heart goes out to all who were in charge for the lovely Christmas tree lighting event. Again, thank you to all.
After having raised a family in a house here in town, I moved to a then-brand new apartment near the railroad station and for years have enjoyed a view of the tree from my living room, so I have shared with so many the beauty of our village at Christmas.
Every week, I read your paper regarding the plans and dreams of the brave people who volunteer to tackle the past, present and not tested problems of the future. I would like to warn that going the way of a lot more apartments is going to change the feeling of the town, not only in appearance but the people whom would be interested in occupying them.
I do not know whether the apartments will be rentals or condos. They would draw different people. Really, neither would be particularly interested in the life of the town particularly if they commute to work. In many cases, if the tenants or owners are retired, there is a good chance they would have a second home some place other than New Jersey.
Children need their “own” special place, and a roped-off area with swings etc. is not the same as “my yard.” I have seen this happen.
Since I am really old, I do not think any place catering to people who need wheelchairs or visible showings of infirmities is exactly the environment you want on a main street of a village. I can imagine some of the comments people are thinking reading this, but let’s face it, you are thinking big changes for the town. Everything has to be put on the table. I do not think Ridgewood wants the reputation of catering to the elderly. God bless us, the elderly.
Planning Board Amended Meeting To Discuss Master Plan Tonight
Schedule – December 16th at BFMS
Master Plan recommended changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area
PLANNING BOARD
AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Change of Location
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014, in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ – 7:30 P.M
The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area, creating the AH-2, B-3-R, and C-R Zone Districts and amending the existing C Zone District.
All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.
This is a thoughtful letter but I have to disagree. Multi-unit housing is preferable to deteriorating empty lots, and environmentally makes better use of land and resources.
Today there are fewer drivers, smaller families and a huge baby boomer population who will find this an attractive lifestyle option. Presumably any expanded services needed to accommodate this growth will be absorbed by the additional tax base.
I’ve lived in a Ridgewood single family house 20+ years, kids done with college; would welcome some options to stay in town without the responsibility of home ownership/maintenance.
Excellent letter — most folks living here don’t want another 400 or 500 apartments downtown — or the other buildings that will follow these initial proposals.
To the person who commented “I’ve lived in a Ridgewood single family house 20+ years, kids done with college;” — you are in luck — i saw rental signs on the apartments in town today. Call a realtor and they will help you find a rental. Or, you can move ten minutes down the road to Hackensack where you will find abundant rentals.
December 12, 2014 Last updated: Friday, December 12, 2014, 1:51 PM
The Ridgewood News
To the editor:
Thank you to all who planned and worked, mentally and physically, to ring in the Christmas season, attract and please all the faiths in town, make everyone feel welcome, and spread friendliness and joy.
The music, speeches, tree decorated, Santa on his way, shops waiting a busy time … and then it rains.
My family and I moved to Ridgewood in 1950. I have led a very active volunteer life and was often involved with outdoor events, so I well know that awful feeling about the weather, so my heart goes out to all who were in charge for the lovely Christmas tree lighting event. Again, thank you to all.
After having raised a family in a house here in town, I moved to a then-brand new apartment near the railroad station and for years have enjoyed a view of the tree from my living room, so I have shared with so many the beauty of our village at Christmas.
Every week, I read your paper regarding the plans and dreams of the brave people who volunteer to tackle the past, present and not tested problems of the future. I would like to warn that going the way of a lot more apartments is going to change the feeling of the town, not only in appearance but the people whom would be interested in occupying them.
I do not know whether the apartments will be rentals or condos. They would draw different people. Really, neither would be particularly interested in the life of the town particularly if they commute to work. In many cases, if the tenants or owners are retired, there is a good chance they would have a second home some place other than New Jersey.
DECEMBER 12, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A developer proposing multifamily housing held an on-site public meeting to separate “fact” from “conjecture” on Tuesday night.
The audience of about 30 attendees included developers, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and several village seniors, who expressed interest in the apartments.
While most attendees appeared favorable of the development in their comments, a couple argued against points made by the developer, longtime resident John Saraceno.
Saraceno, who is proposing the 52-unit Enclave development at 253-257 E. Ridgewood Ave., touched on several “hot-button issues” over two hours, including: property taxes, schoolchildren, traffic, parking, architecture and how many units an amendment to the master plan that allows higher density housing might result in.
Saraceno was the first of four developers to make a multifamily housing proposal to the village. He began his quest for multifamily housing in 2008, he said, when he met with then-Mayor David Pfund.
Planning Board Meeting Schedule : Land Use Amendment of the Master Plan
Planning Board Amended Meeting Schedule – December 16th at BFMS
PLANNING BOARD AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Change of Location
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014, in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ – 7:30 P.M
The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area, creating the AH-2, B-3-R, and C-R Zone Districts and amending the existing C Zone District.
All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.
Enclave to Host On-Site Open House at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue
Enclave to Host On-Site Open House December 9th
RIDGEWOOD, NJ, December 9, 2014 – The developers of Enclave, a proposed 52-unit luxury apartment building on Maple Avenue between East Ridgewood and Franklin, will host an open house to present new data that answers lingering questions about prospective resident populations and other issues that have arisen during recent Planning Board hearings.
The meeting will be held at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue – the property that has applied to be considered to a Master Plan Amendment that would allow upscale apartments in Downtown Ridgewood – at 7:30 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 9th.
“Ridgewood’s planner has done a thorough job in modeling impacts and assessing benefits from prospective luxury apartment development in Downtown Ridgewood, but the legally required format to convey information has frustrated the public,” says John Saraceno, developer of the Enclave and himself a Ridgewood resident.
“Ridgewood residents have asserted a nearly unprecedented challenge to their planning professionals and planning board members to assure rents and household sizes,” says Mr. Saraceno. “Some cynics believe those demands are a ploy to confound the process; but we took our neighbors at their word and we have developed data that supports the previous submissions of professionals – including those employed by the Village. The numbers are undeniably persuasive and to sincerely interested people, the resulting data set that should allay their concerns.”
Of the four properties that have applied for consideration as luxury apartment locations, two are on the sites of former car dealerships; one is the site of the former DMV inspection location; and the final is the Enclave. Each of the sites is zoned for office and/or other commercial uses whose traffic and quality of life impacts will be greater than the proposed residential development, but whose property tax contributions will be lower. Each site essentially allows the same scope of development for other uses and each allows residential development. The proposed amendment increases allowable heights modestly (by less than 4 feet) and would allow the developers to use their current buildable area (square footage) for residential rather than the currently permitted commercial or residential-above-retail.
“We have held five previous sessions in discussion formats where we can explore the data and explain things in a friendlier environment, and it is very helpful for people who are truly interested in obtaining information. We also think that actually having people on the site will bring the project to life and demonstrate the advantageous of allowing retail rather than currently permitted uses.
“With the testimony of the Planner behind us and the final public comment period in front of us – plus now knowing the prospective resident profile – we felt it was a good time to have one last session to clear up any remaining doubts about the appeal of adding luxury residences downtown to sites where they are clearly the most beneficial, least impactful future use.”
www.downtownridgewood.com hosts a variety of documents related to the submissions to the Planning Board from the four developers applying for status under the proposed amendment.
DECEMBER 9, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The village has received seven proposals from four developers who are all interested in redeveloping a 2.07-acre portion of Ridgewood’s downtown.
The proposals are being considered as the Planning Board continues hearing testimony on a master plan amendment sought by three developers who want to build high density, multifamily housing complexes downtown.
Officials said the seven plans, which were opened last week, include provisions for much-needed parking. The parcels to be redeveloped are at the corner of Franklin Avenue and North Walnut Street.
Most of the proposals would augment the amount of available housing and retail space in downtown Ridgewood, said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld. However, she would not provide specific details or costs “relative to the plans,” claiming in an email that doing so could “impact our future negotiations” with the four developers.
Developers eyeing Ridgewood’s North Walnut Redevelopment Area
December 8, 2014 Last updated: Monday, December 8, 2014, 10:47 AM
By Laura Herzog
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood New
Hope for a North Walnut Street parking garage, plus some area beautification, remains.
In the past few months, more than 30 copies of the village’s request for proposals (RFP) for the North Walnut Street Redevelopment Area were distributed.
Last Monday, when the responses were due, four developers returned proposals.
These developers are: Kensington Senior Development, Langan, M&M Development and D&R Ridgewood LLC, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.
And all have offered mixed-use options.
“We have taken a very rough look at the proposals – there are about six or seven options from the four developers. Each proposal has a significant parking component – we required this in the RFP. The proposals are mixed use with either residential coupled with retail and/or office, assisted living coupled with retail or retail alone,” Sonenfeld said in an email last week.
According to Sonenfeld, the team now reviewing these proposals includes herself, Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, Village Planner Blais Brancheau, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck and one or more members of the Financial Advisory Committee.
DECEMBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Enclave developer to hold open house
The development team proposing the Enclave upscale apartment building on Maple Avenue between East Ridgewood and Franklin avenues will host an open house beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 257 E. Ridgewood Ave.
The meeting is open to all village residents.
Developers for the 52-unit Enclave complex, as well as those proposing the Chestnut Village and the Dayton luxury housing projects, are seeking an amendment to the Ridgewood master plan that would permit high-density, multifamily housing in and around the Central Business District.
The master plan application is currently in the public hearing process before the Planning Board.
Yet according to Ridgewood Waters recent FAQ posted on the Village website , we are told the vast majority of unexpectedly high consumption is due to lawn sprinklers and toilets .
So the new multi housing plan for the Central Business district will not involve flushing toilets ?
As for handling waste water no mention here.
Ridgewood Water – Quarterly Billing FAQ
Quarterly Billing FAQ
The following facts may be useful:
Each meter removed is tested for accuracy. If over-registering were to be discovered, we would follow the refund procedure New Jersey Board of Public Utilities requires.
New meters are similarly high in accuracy. They also have features that can be used to help determine the causes of unusually high consumption.
In certain circumstances where a customer had been receiving estimated bills, over/underestimation may have occurred which could result in an unusually high bill or credit.
Any customer receiving an unusually high bill after a period of estimated bills is eligible for a deferred payment arrangement with no interest charges. Any account that was improperly charged interest will be credited for those charges.
The new meters will provide actual readings remotely with no hindrance to the customer.
If you would like to obtain a reading yourself on the new meter, simply shine a flashlight on the display and it will activate. Two screens will then cycle. The first will be the current read and the second is a rate screen which shows the current gallons per minute passing through the meter.
The vast majority of unexpectedly high consumption is due to lawn sprinklers and toilets.
Many people do not realize or notice that water may be trickling from the toilet tank into the bowl and down the drain. This can really add up when it’s happening 24/7. Ridgewood Water has free dye tablets that can be used to determine if this is happening.
Verizon announced in May 2014 that they would be discontinuing the access to their system for meter reading by the end of the month. That deadline was extended to the end of December.
If you have any further question please contact our Customer Service Department at 201-670-5500 ext. 269 or 275 M-F 8:30 – 4:30. You can also contact us by email at [email protected]
Sounds Familiar : More development pressures in Bergen
News and commentary from Bergen County’s many municipalities besieged by heavy-handed development proposals underscores boiling dissatisfaction with plans for gross changes in heretofore cherished communities.
Ordinary residents can’t accept claims that big development won’t bring negative impacts, and they can’t understand why their elected and appointed officials and “experts” paid with local property taxes buy into those claims.
Montvale’s Hoboken-based “master planner,” who touts experience developed in Johannesburg and elsewhere in Africa, has told locals that state planners encourage denser development than has prevailed in Bergen traditionally.
That requires zoning changes blessed by planners and local officials alike. The blessings can lead to snags. Montvale’s mayor has told residents he testified in court for four days in a lawsuit brought by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.
In a case that has received virtually no public attention, A&P makes the thunderous charge that Montvale is guilty of “spot zoning” in favor of one family of local farmers and their development partners.
Whether or not the court agrees, proposals in Montvale and elsewhere in Bergen are pitting the few against the many.
Reader says It’s absurd that we would be considering a Master Plan change that would allow such a monumental increase
The property owners are already entitled to develop their property, but within the current zoning regulations. At this moment, a residential development may have up to 12 units per acre. The Master Plan Amendment is proposing 40+ units per acre (actual # depends on which development they are talking about). Quite a jump, huh? It’s absurd that we would be considering a Master Plan change that would allow such a monumental increase. I don’t believe most people are against some downtown housing, but the proposal on the table is for 200+ apartments and could be (according to Blaise) expanded to 300-500 units.
The problem right now is that the PB has been stringing these developers along for 2 years now and no one has the guts to just say no and rethink the whole issue from the viewpoint of “What do WE want Ridgewood to be in the future?” If we want it to be multigenerational, then how do we want to accomplish that? What can we do to assure that the intrinsic character of Ridgewood will remain? These are the conversations that need to take place. Instead, we are reacting to a proposed Master Plan change requested by DEVELOPERS. These developers are trying to maximize their return. That’s understandable, but it is up to our PB and our Village Planner to guide this conversation and protect OUR RETURN (the interests of the tax payers) and the character of our Village.
