Tag: Urbanization

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Readers debate the future of Ken Smith

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Readers debate the future of Ken Smith 

Reader says Failure to turn the Ken Smith lot into a parking garage with some kind of overpass walkway to get to and from it would be to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix much of the parking problem, at least for commuters, for once and for all. VILLAGE COUNCIL–HELLO–THIS IS IMPORTANT. Take out a bond and pay it back with parking revenue.

Other readers disagree and say It will never become a government operated parking garage. They don’t want to lose the property tax revenue.

Others sarcastically argue to Add a few more buildings to vacant lots and soon no traffic at all! The perfect solution to our parking and traffic problems. Why didn’t we think of this earlier?

And finally one reader observers Although only 3 applicants are currently before the board, the Ken Smith site’s property still will fall within the new high density zone. Apparently that property owner is buying up more land surrounding what they currently own. Probably a smart tactic to sit on the sidelines while others duke it out. Either way any zoning benefit will be realized on this site as well.

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Concerns about hospital proposal

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Concerns about hospital proposal

JUNE 6, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014, 12:31 AM
PAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE

Concerns about hospital proposal
Marcia Ringel

To the editor:

At two recent Planning Board meetings, residents were invited to share their concerns about Valley Hospital’s expansion proposal. This letter roughly reiterates my statement on May 20.

A child says, “I want a pony.” The parent says, “How about a puppy — or a guppy?”

Child’s counteroffer: “How about a slightly smaller pony with setbacks and an above-ground parking lot?”

The family doesn’t spend eight years discussing where a horse could be stabled or what it would eat. Just: “No pony.”

Valley Hospital’s revised proposal is a slightly smaller pony.

In the past 42 years I have entered Valley as an inpatient, outpatient, parent and visitor. But Valley feels less caring to me now. Our community has been treated with contempt by our community hospital, marketing madly with millions saved in taxes on the backs of this community. What began as David and Goliath morphed into David and Godzilla.

I feel perplexed as my neighbors must repeatedly remind our elected and appointed officials that we love our village, begging them not to destroy it in the name of progress or for fear of litigation.

I feel alarmed that almost every year a new group of residents has felt compelled to band together to protest the handing over of our public lands and space.

I feel betrayed by our Board of Education, who wimped out when they should have spoken out.

I feel dismayed that this issue has overshadowed five council elections.

Ridgewood neighborhoods are adjacent to schools, fields, parks, shops and a hospital. We lived in harmony for many years. That delicate balance must return.

Several decades ago the late Barney Van Dyk told me that he wanted to include indoor seating in his ice cream store, nestled among homes on Ackerman Avenue. But he graciously accepted the zoning board’s refusal, understanding that zoning laws protect residents. Ice cream is still eaten in the parking lot.

We have no dearth of fine hospitals. Even New York is coming: Memorial Sloan-Kettering in Basking Ridge and in the fall, physicians’ offices in Paramus for the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Village Planner Blais Brancheau’s recent report said Phase 2 of the hospital expansion might not happen. Of course it would, as would Phase 3, causing decades of unstoppable derangement — a tax-exempt Juggernaut that no wall, buffer or traffic island could mitigate.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-concerns-about-hospital-proposal-1.1030466#sthash.qhqYB8WM.dpuf

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Issues with road project

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Issues with road project

JUNE 6, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014, 12:31 AM

Issues with road project
Kira Semler

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

With regard to the article that appeared in the Friday, May 30, 2014 edition entitled, “Road project moving ahead,” I am in agreement with the thoughtful editorial letters submitted by Ridgewood residents regarding the fiasco with the paving of the road under the railroad bridge. I would like to add my comments:

1. The decision to reduce the lanes to one each way is ridiculous and seems to lack even a small thread of common sense.

2. Concerned residents attended this meeting with a panel of Village of Ridgewood employees and council members. Residents’ opinions/concerns fell on deaf ears.

3. How much are the cameras going to cost for the monitoring of this insanity? How about the extra manpower? Another cost the residents of the Village of Ridgewood will have to bear.

4. Will any cost overruns for later modifications be borne by the Village Council and the village manager? You know the answer to that question: There is no accountability and costs will come out of the pockets of the residents of the Village of Ridgewood.

5. What about the impact on the CBD? Of course, no one even gave that a thought.

6. I do not believe there was a study done on this project. No one heard about it until it was printed in the newspaper two weeks ago. The reason this project was not previously announced is simply because the village council did not want to hear any feedback.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-issues-with-road-project-1.1030448#sthash.ystHaBUK.dpuf

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Traffic engineers testify on Ridgewood housing proposals

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Traffic engineers testify on Ridgewood housing proposals

JUNE 5, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014, 3:40 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Echoing the earlier findings of a consultant hired by the village, traffic engineers testifying at the latest multifamily housing hearing said that their proposed use would result in less additional downtown traffic than other allowable uses.

About 15 residents, including several leaders of the grassroots group opposing unrestrained development, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR), attended the hearing on Tuesday in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School auditorium.

In the case of The Dayton, where 106 units are proposed for the abandoned Brogan Cadillac site (currently used as a commuter parking lot), an expert said a residential use would generate less traffic than the current use.

“What’s proposed would not result in a detrimental traffic impact … I think that’s important to understand,” said The Dayton’s traffic expert Karl Pehnke, an associate for Langan Engineering. “The applicant could actually produce less traffic than could otherwise be expected.”

The 52-unit Chestnut Village complex proposed for Chestnut Street, on the site of a former vehicle inspection station, would also generate less traffic than other permitted uses, including medical offices, an expert for the developer said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/traffic-engineers-testify-on-ridgewood-housing-proposals-1.1030111#sthash.6WrFpIJ6.dpuf

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Where is the vision for the current leadership of our community?

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Our future as an inclusive community

Where is the vision for the current leadership of our community? 

JUNE 2, 2014    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014, 5:38 PM

Letter: Our future as an inclusive community
Martin Walker

To the editor:

Congratulations to the winning candidates of our recent council election. We are extremely fortunate to have had three such talented and committed villagers running, but I am dismayed that not one of them articulated a vision of Ridgewood’s future as an inclusive family community, one that includes and fosters all generations.

Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon rightfully insisted that village planning must shift from ad hoc responses to individual developer’s proposals, but our village politics as a whole seems stuck in the “tail(s) wagging the dog” syndrome. Some folks don’t like taller poles, our council must respond. Other folks don’t like construction, our council must respond. Others don’t want trees cut down, our council must respond. Still others don’t want public land fully public, but instead devoted to their kid’s favorite sport … ditto.

Now we read that one Planning Board member objects to a Walnut Street downtown location for assisted living because of “traffic.” Earlier objections reported have been “height.”

When will Ridgewood ever progress beyond the “not this, not that” level of leadership in community development? At what point can we break away from Washington, DC’s politic gridlock mentality by fully acknowledging that “NO” is not a plan?

Leadership requires elaborating on and then acting on choices. The greatest level of authority in community leadership accrues to those whose vision encompasses the widest sectors of a community projected the farthest into the future. Leadership for property value enhancement via educational excellence only looks as far into the future as the high school graduation dates of our current school population.

Leadership for family-oriented community includes allowances for the possibility that babies being born into our community could live out their lives and also die here. I see no plan addressing whether or not our children should have the ability to live here at all. I see no plan addressing whether or not our Ridgewood community should even include grandparents. No plan addressing whether Ridgewood should be a place to retire to versus retiring from.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-our-future-as-an-inclusive-community-1.1027823#sthash.8zWkLHY0.dpuf

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Critics and proponents of Valley Hospital expansion make final pleas to planning board

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Critics and proponents of Valley Hospital expansion make final pleas to planning board

JUNE 3, 2014, 6:36 AM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014, 6:38 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

It was their last chance and they took it. 

On Monday night, 43 residents told planning board members how to vote on The Valley Hospital’s plan to nearly double in size, their last opportunity to voice an opinion before the board votes in two weeks.

Board members remained impassive for more than three hours as residents spoke for and against the expansion plan, some telling personal stories while others tried to review expert testimony given during the past 15 months of hearings.

Proponents of Valley’s plan to expand from 562,000 square feet to 995,000 square feet noted that less than 200 people showed up for the meeting, questioning whether a majority of village residents really do oppose the plan.

At the same time, opponents of the plan noted that out of the 10 people who spoke in favor of the project, about 7 or 8 were Valley employees or physicians.

“I urge you to consider voting for this change,” said David Sayles, a Valley supporter who talked about having loved ones in both Valley and another hospital in New York City. “It’s a lot easier for family members to go next door when a family member is in the hospital and going through a hard time. It’s a wrong decision to just shoot it all down.”

But those who want board members to vote in favor of the master plan amendment that Valley is seeking were vastly outnumbered by opponents, who repeatedly reminded the board that the 6-year construction project will likely affect students attending the Benjamin Franklin Middle School next to the hospital.

 

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/critics-and-proponents-of-valley-hospital-expansion-make-final-pleas-to-planning-board-1.1027983#sthash.CMdhN2hg.dpuf

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Reader says this past election was a mandate against Valley and overdevelopment of the CBD

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Reader says this past election was a mandate against Valley and overdevelopment of the CBD

For anyone with any doubts – this election was a mandate against Valley and overdevelopment of the CBD. This was also a wake up call for the Mayor, Mrs Hauck and Mr. Pucciarelli.

As for Mrs. Hauck’s outrage over a political divide, well, maybe you should look yourself in the mirror to see who created it. You’ve alienated everyone that does not see things the way you do and you only make things worse for yourself by commenting publicly. Remember the one about the Library being as important as the Police Department? Oh yes, and make sure to air all of your views in social media.

The Mayor and his team have had this “we know what’s best and we know better than you” attitude which has clearly put reasonable people off.

If anyone wasn’t sure about what most people feel are the most important issues in town, read the election results. Valley needs to be put in its place and there should be no Master Plan amendments to allow for over development of the CBD.

1-800-PetMeds Private Label

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Ridgewood Council newcomers have zoning on their minds

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Ridgewood Council newcomers have zoning on their minds

MAY 28, 2014    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Two Planning Board issues took center stage during the recent campaigns for Village Council, which will soon include a pair of newcomers who were vocal opponents of overdevelopment.

And yet, how their sentiments shape their future decisions — and whether that will result in a fractured government — remains to be seen.

“It is striking and telling that this election was almost completely about two Planning Board issues and the process,” Mayor Paul Aronsohn said recently about the May 13 vote.

Both Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen — who are to be sworn in on July 1 — were endorsed by a pair of citizens groups, one organized to fight The Valley Hospital’s planned expansion and the other forged to oppose the three high-density, multifamily housing projects currently being pitched for the village’s downtown.

Both projects — which have been on the board’s meeting agendas for the last year and a half — require master plan amendments before they can proceed. Members of the council are tasked with making decisions about the master plan.

However, whether the pair’s overwhelming win against another candidate — each got more than twice as many votes as James Albano — translates into an actual mandate regarding the projects is still unclear.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/council-newcomers-have-zoning-on-their-minds-1.1024431#sthash.hMYN18yU.dpuf

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Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane

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Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane

MAY 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014, 1:58 PM

Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane
David Slomin

To the editor:As a resident involved in the efforts to limit excessive apartment density increases pushed upon us by overzealous developers, I planned to write a letter of kudos to Ridgewood’s citizens for their great turnout and overwhelming vote of solidarity to Save Our Village in last week’s election. But then something came up.

I was made aware, only on the eve of construction, that Ridgewood was permanently closing lanes under the Franklin Avenue underpass, limiting traffic to one lane each way, while adding a dangerous bike lane.

While I thoroughly applaud efforts to improve safety, I question the logic and process by which this was approved. No clear notice or information was provided to residents and nobody reached out for input. Ridgewood’s website ignores it. Furthermore, while I’m told Engineering did careful reviews of this location, no village-wide traffic study was done to see how this might impact neighboring streets. And … this is right where they are proposing rezoning for more than 100 apartments!

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-logic-questioned-on-eliminating-traffic-lane-1.1022631#sthash.jEf9AntC.dpuf

Wilsey & Garber Square Road Resurfacing and Improvements

Click Here https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/engineering/2013WestSideStreetscapeOptionE.pdf

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Ridgewood residents speak for and against Valley Hospital expansion

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Ridgewood residents speak for and against Valley Hospital expansion

MAY 21, 2014, 7:11 AM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014, 7:14 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD – They waited 15 months to have their say and on Tuesday night two dozen residents stood before the planning board to explain how they feel about The Valley Hospital’s plan to renovate and nearly double in size.
For the most part, they don’t like it.

Out of two dozen residents who spoke, six were in favor of the proposal to grow from 562,000 square feet to 995,000 square feet and build a 245,000-square-foot parking garage.

“Valley is one of Ridgewood’s crown jewels,” said Rurik Halaby. “People talk about the quality of life in Ridgewood. I would think health is a primary component of quality of life. Having a world class hospital in our backyard goes a long way to ensure that.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-residents-speak-for-and-against-valley-hospital-expansion-1.1020254#sthash.lRHirF3J.dpuf

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Philanthropists needed for hospitals looking to upgrade facilities, advance care

Bolger

Philanthropists needed for hospitals looking to upgrade facilities, advance care

By Beth Fitzgerald
May 19, 2014 at 1:07 PM

For hospitals that depend on generous donations to modernize their facilities and deliver the latest advances in clinical care — philanthropists are a major lifeline.

This was underscored earlier this month when Ridgewood’s Valley Health System recognized David F. Bolger for giving $40 million in philanthropic gifts since 1999.  And as the president of Bolger & Co. Inc., a real estate and investment firm in Ridgewood with real estate holdings throughout the U.S., he divides his time between Ridgewood and Sarasota, according to Valley.

Audrey Meyers, chief executive of the Valley Hospital and Valley Health System said, “Words cannot express how deeply appreciative we are of David’s extraordinary support. We thank him for the impact his incredible generosity will have on the hundreds of thousands of patients who will be treated at the hospital for years to come.”

 “David Bolger has one guiding philanthropic principle: he wants to ensure his generosity benefits the greatest amount of people,” said Anastasios Kozaitis, president of The Valley Hospital Foundation. “His extraordinary support of Valley is only one facet of his philanthropy. His is a philanthropic spirit that looks to enhance and at times transform the communities for which he cares. David’s giving has allowed Valley to offer our patients the best technology that medicine has to offer. His philanthropy has saved countless lives.”

Bolger’s largest gift was $30 million in 2008 for the renovation of the main campus. Kozaitis said Valley is working with the Ridgewood Planning Board on a revised a redevelopment plan. The board had earlier rejected Valley’s original plan.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20140519/NJBIZ01/140519798/Philanthropists-needed-for-hospitals-looking-to-upgrade-facilities-advance-care

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Architects detail designs for proposed housing developments in Ridgewood

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Architects detail designs for proposed housing developments in Ridgewood

MAY 16, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER

Though planning and school impact considerations, among other areas of concern, have stimulated more scrutiny than building design, the architects of three downtown multifamily housing proposals were put through cross examination and public questioning at last week’s Planning Board meeting.

Board members are currently hearing three developers’ combined application to amend Ridgewood’s master plan to essentially rezone portions of the Central Business District and permit high-density apartment complexes as an acceptable use of land.

Last Tuesday’s hearing was the latest meeting in a process that stems back more than two years. It also bridges the course to a June 3 meeting, where traffic experts for each proposal are expected to begin testimony.

Enclave design

Architect Bruce Englebaugh explained the details of the Enclave, which his firm Minno and Wasko Architects designed for developer 257 Ridgewood Avenue LLC. The Enclave, as proposed, includes 52 dwelling units and approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space built along North Maple Avenue on property currently occupied by the Hallmark Floor Company and Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

“We tried to go through downtown Ridgewood and analyze the architectural vocabulary. We took that, analyzed it and put it in our building,” Englebaugh said, explaining the varied design elements. “We started with a homogenous façade. Through feedback, we started to subdivide the façade to make it look more like buildings in downtown Ridgewood.”

According to Englebaugh, one of the key elements was the reduction of the Enclave’s fourth story. The adjustment, he said, makes the building’s top level unnoticeable when viewed from the ground level on North Maple Avenue.

Property owner John Saraceno and Englebaugh reviewed the site’s projected parking layout. Both testified that the proposed plan incorporates 134 parking stalls, 56 of which will be reserved for public use. In comparison, the site currently boasts 74 parking spots with roughly 14 of those reserved, Saraceno said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/building-designsdetailed-1.1017442#sthash.mZd0RU8f.dpuf

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Ridgewood officials mull plan to address abandoned properties

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Ridgewood officials mull plan to address abandoned properties

MAY 16, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Ridgewood officials will soon have new guidelines to refer to when dealing with owners of abandoned commercial and residential properties.

The Village Council introduced an ordinance on Wednesday to adopt the state’s “Abandoned Property and Rehabilitation Act” for Ridgewood’s own village code.

The council has been discussing abandoned properties in Ridgewood since the issue was raised by Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck earlier this year. Hauck discussed the guidelines with the council at a meeting in March.

Hauck said she knew of a few locations within Ridgewood, which she did not name, where owners have let their properties go into disrepair, and she believed that putting the state’s guidelines in Ridgewood’s code could help village officials put more pressure on these individuals.

“We have to create a system whereby people know that they’re on record as being a problem,” she said at last Wednesday’s council meeting.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-officials-mull-plan-to-address-abandoned-properties-1.1017425

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Village of Ridgewood May and June Planning Board Meetings

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Village of Ridgewood May and June Planning Board Meetings

PLANNING BOARD AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meetings: May 20, June 2, June 3, June 9, June 17

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled special public meetings for:

? Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center at Ridgewood High School, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will continue the public hearing on the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

? Monday, June 2, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will continue the public hearing on the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

? Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, 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 including AH-2, B-3-R, C-R and C Zone Districts.

? Monday, June 9, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will continue the public hearing on the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

? Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center at Ridgewood High School, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will continue the public hearing on the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

The Board may take official action during this Work and Public Meeting

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Revised guidelines for N.J. affordable housing ie “Ghetto Building” causes confusion

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Revised guidelines for N.J. affordable housing ie “Ghetto Building” causes confusion

MAY 8, 2014, 11:14 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014, 11:32 PM
BY REBECCA D. O’BRIEN AND MICHAEL PHILLIS
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

New guidelines designed to determine how much affordable housing will be needed in New Jersey’s 565 towns over the next 20 years are already being criticized by housing experts as insufficient and opaque less than two weeks after they were unveiled to the public.

Some have even said the proposed rules, which estimate that more than 50,000 homes need to be built, could violate the state constitution, because they rely on calculations that have been struck down by the state Supreme Court.

What’s next

The proposed regulations for affordable housing are subject to review by the Office of Administrative Law and will be published next month in the June 2, 2014, New Jersey Register. A public hearing on the proposed rules has been scheduled for July 2. The final rules are supposed to be adopted in October and take effect Nov. 14.

The rules approved by the Council on Affordable Housing on April 30 are New Jersey’s latest effort to meet the state’s constitutional mandate that towns allow for construction of affordable housing. In addition to the new construction, the guidelines also identify more than 62,000 homes currently occupied by low- and moderate-income families that need to be fixed up.

But the mandate has existed only in the abstract in recent years; Governor Christie tried to disband the council in 2011, calling it broken and ineffective. The Christie administration also had its eyes on millions in towns’ affordable housing funds that would have been turned over to the state because they had not been used.

Last summer, the state Supreme Court overturned Christie’s bid to disband the council and in September ordered the council to approve new affordable housing obligations that take into account unfulfilled obligations from decades past, houses in need of rehabilitation and future demand.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/revised-guidelines-for-n-j-affordable-housing-causes-confusion-1.1012597#sthash.JkdIZZGa.dpuf