By Dolores Kennelly Carpenter
Why is the VC determined to remove every shred of charm and quaintness that once set Ridgewood apart from other towns, and turn our Village into a City?
The lovely green look of the train station Plaza, with its stately old fragrant Linden trees, grassy spaces, and park benches, was recently destroyed and replaced with concrete and asphalt, all for the sake of a few measly parking spaces.
So long quaintness and charm!
The skyscraper parking garage, an architectural abomination dwarfing other buildings in the CBD, was squeezed onto an undersized lot and spills onto the sidewalk. (Did we really even need that thing?)
So long, quaintness and charm!
As I drove through town recently, passing by several of the newly built apartment complexes, I suddenly had the sensation of being “walled in!” On much of the perimeter of the CBD, solid blocks of tall and dense apartment buildings have been erected, creating the atmosphere of being in the middle of a city, not a quiet village. Of even greater concern, we have yet to experience the many problems and negative effects this significant rise in population will bring about.
So long, quaintness and charm!
And now they propose to make the FENCES higher? Why? Just one more reason to say:
So long quaintness and charm!
So long Village! Hello City!
As a resident of this quaint and charming Village of Ridgewood since 1941, I have seen many changes take place, but for the most part, none were so drastic that they altered the character and sophistication of our village. Recent development, however, has brought us to a crossroads as to where we are headed. Before it’s too late, I ask all of the people who will play a part in the future planning and development of my beloved Village of Ridgewood, to take a deep breath, take a step back, and take a long look at how we want our village to be described by future generations.
Quaint or Urban? Village or City?
The existing ordinances related to residential fencing are perfectly suited for RIdgewood. Leave them alone.
I agree with the above poster on most of thoughts.
In certain circumstances a 6 foot WOOD (not cheap ugly white plastic) fences would be appropriate, with proper ‘approval’.
My new ex-NYC neighbors’ first act upon purchase was to cut every bush at the border and install monster jungle gyms and trampolines right up to the border, in violation of the required setbacks. I spent $1000 on bushes to block the view, but its still not fully grown.
Its so typical of the new residents to not give a shit about anyone else but themselves.
Agree. Thank you
If you live next to a parking lot, school, church, highway, etc., there’s a need for 6 feet. Otherwise, there isn’t. 4 feet is high enough, even if you have a pool.
The mayor explained last week that this is a fairness issue. People without pools came to her complaining that they wanted the same privacy protection as people with pools. There’s a simple solution to this issue. If you have a pool with a 6 foot fence now you can keep it. From now on though, no fences any higher than 4 feet, fence or no fence. 6 feet of fencing looks terrible.
6ft wood fences are more than appropriate, given the way people behave these days. We should have the right to implement them as a safeguard against plebeian rje myriad child production units and garden DJs that seem to be moving in to RW.
Further, while I may like my (non-pleb) neighbor, I don’t want to feel as though I’m living with them, on a commune.
I agree with the mayor that fairness is the issue here. If someone with a pool can have a 6ft high fence, I should be able to as well. I am a parent of a special needs child and the 4ft high fence between my property and my neighbors property with an in ground pool is not enough to keep my child safe. He does not understand the concept of danger. Someday, when he is older, he will able to hop right over and get into the neighbors yard. Yes we did apply for a variance but were told that a personal hardship does not qualify us for a variance in this case. Perhaps that should be changed as well? Sometimes aesthetics are not the only issue and safety and security are more important.
I agree. Pool or no pool, 4 feet is high enough.
No 6 ft fences! Also, any fences should be natural in color. No white plastic fences. If have to have fence, should be Split rail.
No 6 ft fences! Also, any fences should be natural in color. No white plastic fences. If have to have fence, should be Split rail.
First world problems. We just planted little giants all around our property. Problem solved.
Your quaint village ceased to exist when Aronsohn & co decided to tear it apart. Add to this FSH and all the BS about about “affordable” housing and equity and equality and it is over. Quaint is gone forever for any Bergen County suburb. This so developer playground now. We’re just another stop in the NYC subway system.
Came from the city to live in the suburbs, feels like we are slowing heading back.
The safety of a special needs child should be considered sufficient hardship to allow a higher fence. If not, what does?
HOWEVER: That does not mean the same height must be available to all. (I’ve seen the kinds of hardship approved by the boards–a joke.)
And those white plastic things are a horror show. It’s like a New England village as depicted by Stephen King. On sunny days they reflect the light blindingly. I have one next to me and despise it. It was inspired by another one nearby that looks equally horrific. A wooden fence would look entirely different but oh no, nobody wants to maintain them. Too bad! Next time build a plastic house, too.
and what is the deal with parking on front lawns???? what?
I also noticed a few big campers and Bus sized RVs parked in driveways
Most of houses in town have vinyl sidings, just not in white.
Anyone know if the planning board discussed this matter at the July 6th 2021 meeting?