i still ask this question; how can Paul get away with the walls in front of his business, without any permits? How it continues to be a thorn in many residents of town. Plus, I want to erect a wall in front of my house, all my neighbors are in favor of this just to see what the town does!. Pauls wall is over 3 feet high. Did he have a contractor put in footings to hold wall? Do unsuspecting visitors who park along the wall know that it could fall over? Why can’t we have these ugly walls be forced to be taken down?? The answer really is that the prior council ( which loved Paul) and the new council are just plain AFRAID of this business owner. Why?? This is our town, not his town. Get a grip council!
I personally have taken on a mission to do as President Reagan said ” Village of Ridgewood, Take down those walls )
What about the walls on Broad st.?
The Mayor knows about the wall. The council knows about the wall. The village manager knows about the wall.
None of them want to take an action.
Mr. Vagianos, tear down this wall!
There’s some quid pro quo going on…..
Our Village appears to have selective violation and enforcement. Vagianos is a member of Progress Ridgewood (aka Saraceno-high density housing supporter). A lot of exceptions seem to be made for this group. Not true? Then put your enforcement where the money is and violate them.
A violation is a violation. Unless you live in Ridgewood and have connections. Damn shame.
“It’s Greek to Me” It’s a crock to me. This running politician, RW resident and business owner should have the integrity to take the walls down himself.
I will never vote for him or his running mates. That wall shows a total disregard for Ridgewood.
They are ugly
They damage the edges of car doors parked next to them
When walking hand and hand with my child I need to release my hold and walk single file through a maze of people, tables and staff
The restaurant has a beautiful dining area in the front with sliding windows that sits empty while patrons crowd the sidewalk
The village should force him to tear down those walls
Paul Vagianos (D) A Democrat running mate for State Assemble in the 40th District that’s who Paul is refereed to in the article….
So this is the type of candidate that wants to run local Government, A individual who can not follow Building dept, Codes, Village Zoning/Planing Codes, Village Ordinances and State laws of set back. HE Feels “HE” is above the LAW.
This is Who has a Mayor and Counsel scared of him! Because of POWER! What about the residence and other Proprietors that are in the Village, they have to follow Zoning/Planing and local building codes! State and county ordinances and set back laws.
I just spoke with the Building inspector Carlos this morning and he stated there was never a permit issued for this wall or nor was there ever any inspections and refereed me to the Zoning/Planing office. I spoke to a nice women who answered the phone, I had asked for the Zoning officer but she stated she could help me she was very knowledgeable about the whole chain of events of this wall. It was a wood wall prior and they removed the wood and built what is there today not sure as to the date, No prior approvals and the Owner was sued by the Village of Ridgewood. They eventually applied to the Planing/Zoning board and was passed by the board (quote from Women in Planing/Zoning dept., I don’t quite know how that was approved).
So there have never been any required permits or inspections and they were never asked to remove the wall. Why is this!
If someone were to be hurt by the wall coming down or a car were to hit it I SEE A MAJOR LAWSUIT HERE, an unsafe non permitted structure!
You be the JUDGE……I see unfair politics at its worst,,,,people afraid of people with power.
The Zoning Dept/Board and Town must have a record of any variance/appilcation or permit for this wall. Request that the cite it and produce a copy and/or submit an”FOIA” request for same.
If those walls get hit by anybody oh well They should not be there. They are illegally installed. All the landlord should be told to take them down immediately. What a eye sore .
So “the readers” are in favor of Trump’s border wall in Texas and Arizona, but against walls in Ridgewood. Seems like NIMBY white privilege to me.
did somebody say that or did you just assume ?, fyi if we are to remain a sovereign nation we have a right to defend our borders
Why isn’t the town issuing summons for this wall and if needed tearing it down.
It looks like up until 2016(ish) there was no parking space next to the walls, but now there is. At least they added a parking space!
I complained about these and other barriers several years ago at a council meeting. Several sets of them are fastened to the sidewalks in violation of the ordinance allowing them. In my opinion the ordinance should be rewritten to require them to be similar to the ones in front of the Tappas restaurant by Wilsey Square, a light metal frame with cloth filler and that they be removed in winter when the outdoor seating isn’t available. The restaurant , Steel Wheels, at the train station also has barriers blocking the sidewalks aimed at pedestrians. That setup makes me feel like I am trespassing although I am on public property. I understand the rationale of allowing outdoor seating and don’t disagree with the concept but I feel it’s current application interferes too much with the publics ability to walk around the business district. Here are some examples of the situation: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7495264@N02/albums/72157688598810954/with/37333160824/
Please note that the area in front of “It’s Greek to Me” appears to be a no parking area as shown by the yellow line so although I don’t like those barriers, I think singling them out is more about the owners politics. The ones on West Ridgewood Ave. by the pizza/Italian restaurant are basically the same. Also note the white latticework barriers are screwed down to the sidewalk, which is specifically prohibited.
I don’t have a problem with Paul the village citizen. Paul the restaurant owner may be taking a few liberties but they can be quickly be brought up to the cafe ordinance (he’s a lawyer, so it shouldn’t cost too much). Since becoming Paul the politician, he has taken a downturn and become Paul the panderer, and it’s kind of an odd fit. The old Paul was a genial host. The new Paul will do anything to get elected. Though I’m not voting for him, I hope he disassociates himself of his politico ‘friends’ and reverts to the guy who moved to the village and opened a business.
That place is so overrated
I always knew it was a mistake to allow outdoor dining. Restaurant owners pushed and pushed and now you can’t walk at all in many places. Just try walking into the street instead and be hit by a speeding car. Only restaurants with recessed front areas (I can think of only two) should be permitted to have tables outside–period. Restaurants wishing to have more seating can move to a bigger place or put in more tables. That’s the way it goes. Sidewalks are supposed to be for pedestrians. Downtown has become an obstacle course. I also prefer to walk closer to buildings than to the street, especially in rain, wind, or snow, but it’s impossible now. I wish the ordinance would be reversed. It’s just not that important to most people that restaurants maximize their income. How about offering good food at reasonable prices with excellent service?
The irony is that our village residents will vote for Vagianos due to their holy alliance with Democratic party. Liberals can’t use their brains. On one hand they (or many of them) complain about the garage, Vagianos wall etc. , on the other they will vote dems in spite of Trump or republicans even though the latter promise what is good for all of us. If Vagianos wins then I will pray that he builds a huge wall around CBD and makes everyone pay to access it. Douchebags.
Surely if the village fire chief were questioned at an unguarded moment he would admit the clear incompatibility of Vagianos’ street-adjacent stone sidewalk wall with the speedy and efficient deployment of emergency fire equipment in the event of a fire in Vagianos’ building.
The irony is that our village residents will vote for Vagianos due to their holy alliance with Democratic party. Liberals can’t use their brains. On one hand they (or many of them) complain about the garage, Vagianos wall etc. , on the other they will vote dems in spite of Trump or republicans even though the latter promise what is good for all of us. If Vagianos wins then I will pray that he builds a huge wall around CBD and makes everyone pay to access it. Doucheb@gs
The sidewalk in front of the Italian restaurant on the west side is 2-3 time wider than in front of GTM
People all these comments and this damn wall is still up in front of this restaurant we all like to know what the hell is going on with the mayor and council and the building department. Get a set of balls and tell the landlord in the store owner to remove that wall at once or we will do it ourselves. Unbelievable what’s going on the mayor the council engineering department Building department zoning should have emergency meeting regarding this structure and any other structures in the CBD to be removed what the hell is going on. No balls, but yet you go after the little guy. We are all sick of it we’re not playing games anymore. Do your job well you were elected to do. …..!!!!!!!
Well I am a democrat and a liberal and I will absolutely NOT vote for Vagiannos. I despise him and the lowlifes he associates with. I will vote for anyone who runs against him.
BTW, I get my Gyros at the Gotham Diner now, on RT 4, in Fair Lawn. Due to this wall. Eons on Rt 17 is closer and excellent too. We still have a right and a choice to show all these businesses that they need to remove their barriers. Tell them in writing and hit them in their wallet$. This town continues to show us, for many years now, how pathetic they are to the rules of certain people, yet when we want a permit or a variance they treat us awful! Ugh
Those walls look like shit it’s starting to look like a dump.
As president Reagan said….”mr vagina, tear down this wall “
I really like this restaurant..What’s the big deal? Broad St has them too.
That nice 1:46…
There’s a McDonalds right out Linwood as well.
I’m sure you’d fit right in.
I guess no one has taken the time to read my post…..he was SUED!
It is an Illegal wall….after lawsuit it was pushed through zoning/planing…..never had permits or inspections