Readers say , Montclair already exists, no need to recreate it here. I chose and continue to choose Ridgewood over Montclair.
“Ridgewood’s problem is under-development “, Yes, I am puzzled by comments like these. If you don’t like the town, move out. Why do we need to make the downtown more “attractive” to someone else by bringing in apartments. Its such a circular and cray argument.
Of course developers love us — they have a town council they run circles around. “Oh, but if don’t let them put up 500 apartment units rather than the 50 the properties are zoned for, they will build a supermarket.”
Mr. Ostler can move to any number of locations within 5 miles or so and park himself in an apartment building and live out the rest of his life in bliss. Why does he and the developers need to ruin the town for the rest of us?
Chamber Parking Meeting – Feb. 9
PARKING MEETING RE-SCHEDULED
MONDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2015
ROOTS – 6PM
Chestnut Street
We are glad that everyone is safe.
Hope to see you at ROOTS 2/9/15 @ 6pm
The Mayor and Village Manager
will be attending to answer questions.
These “if you don’t like it move out” comments are unfair. I agree with the assessment that underdevelopment is the issue with derelict lots and empty storefronts. What would you call it? Progress?
I agree that there is no compelling reason to change the character of Ridgewood with high density housing unless you are a landlord in the downtown area, a developer, or on the payroll of one of those 2 camps. The reason there are empty stores is the mega-trend away from bricks and motar retail combined with the high rental expectations of the landlord class. It is a mistake to believe that hundreds of new renters will revive boutique shopping or niche retailing in Ridgewood.
Like many, I am not opposed to some small scale residential development, but large scale redevelopment is unwarranted. Yes we all know that commercial ratables incease the tax base, but I think it’s safe to say that nobody moved to or stays in Ridgewwod in pursuit of low taxes. Otherwise, we would move to Paramus.
Agreed, empty lots are part of the negotiation process by the developers. They could build muti-family housing right now, but they will make more money later if they convince the town to increase the density. The empty lot argument is equivalent to me going in and saying my children have moved out of my five bedroom house on crest road, so now i want to turn it into a rooming house and rent out all the rooms.