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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) Calls for Residents to Attend Village Councils Public Hearing on September 16th ,730pm

village council meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

PLEASE mark your calendar for the MOST IMPORTANT meeting to date:

Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm – VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING before ordinances are approved allowing multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre

Please take time to read this important message from CBR Trustees:

For over two years, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) actively participated in the Ridgewood Planning Board’s review of a Master Plan Amendment that would allow several large, high-density housing projects to be built downtown.  CBR enlisted the help of a professional planner and an expert Land Use attorney to give residents a voice in the process, and to urge caution and advocate for proper planning.  Unfortunately, our voices were not heard.

On June 1st, CBR circulated an online petition advocating for responsible planning and densities lower than the 35-units per acre that was before the Planning Board.  The petition gained more than 1,000 signatures in just a few short hours, demonstrating that many Ridgewood residents oppose the jump from 12 to 35 units per acre.  This petition was decidedly ignored.  Despite our calls for visionary planning and densities more appropriate for Ridgewood, on June 2nd the Planning Board approved four separate amendments to the master plan that pave the way for high-density, multifamily housing projects at 35 units per acre.

On August 10, a group of concerned residents enlisted the service of CBR’s attorney to file a complaint in the Superior Court in Bergen County appealing the Planning Board’s decision.  The Complaint seeks a Judge’s order to reverse the Planning Board’s June 2 decision based on several counts, including spot zoning violations, procedural irregularities during the master plan proceedings, violations to the Open Public Meetings Act, conflicts of interest among Planning Board members, inappropriate admittance of a threatening letter regarding affordable housing that wrongly swayed some votes, and insufficient comprehensive studies and evidence to warrant a substantial change in zoning.

As you return from your summer break, please know that our cause is strong and alive.  Since the June vote, we have a new influx of dedicated and impassioned residents and donors leading the CBR charge.  As such, we feel the time is right to change CBR’s leadership to energize this new chapter in our efforts.  In the next few weeks, the CBR will have a new set of trustees and the current group will be stepping down.  We are fortunate that we have zealous supporters ready to take over and embark on this next stage.  If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact us and you can join them!

WE WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7:30 PM when the Village Council holds a public hearing in advance of approving four ordinances that will amend the master plan and allow multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre.  This may be the last chance residents will have to speak out about zoning changes that will negatively impact our Village.  Given the speed with which the Council accepted the Planning Board’s decision without meaningful discussion, we are concerned the Council may try to effect a premature final vote that same night!

We want to thank all of you for your support over these last two years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

CBR’s new leadership will continue to keep you updated.  Please stay tuned… we need you!

Best Regards,

Amy Bourque, Lori Weil, Carol Bicknese and Jen Ditommasso

NOTE:  To be clear, CBR has always favored development in downtown Ridgewood.  CBR is not against change, but rather favors VISIONARY (not reactionary) planning that considers the impact zoning changes will have on Ridgewood’s severe parking deficit, traffic issues, lack of open space, and overcrowded schools.  CBR continues to advocate for a density limit that is more in line with what currently exists in downtown Ridgewood (approximately 20-24 units per acre.)  CBR is in favor of providing alternative housing choices and meeting affordable housing obligations, but believes these objectives can be achieved at a much lower density than 35 units per acre.

Citizens  for a Better Ridgewood
citizensforabetterridgewood@aol.com