315 East Glen Ave photo by Denise Pierce Lima
August 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the request for variances that allow for two homes where only one exists now.
Ridgewood resident Denise Pierce Lima spelled out the problem on Facebook, “We need you to show up to the August 1st Planning Board Meeting and just say “NO”
We bought our home in Ridgewood, in this specific area because of the beauty of the landscape and the history. This home has helped support and make me survivor of cancer and it is our front porch and looking out to the park like setting that got me through it.
What is really happeing at the property at 315 East Glen Ave. AND the variances they are asking for – and what you really need to know is the following:
This is part of a larger project to sub-divide the property and build 2 McMansions 3600 SQ FT.
– According to the Ridgewood Tax map and assessment online files; this will be 150% larger than the 17 homes surrounding this Lot and Block. And -750 homes surrounding, only 2 homes are larger than 2200 square feet and one is the old “Libby” historical home on Glen Ave.
This property and its surroundings are from the 1830, with what we believe are remnants of a blacksmiths house bordering as well as another home from 1800’s. Especially when they plan to cut down 20+ trees and destroy the complete canapoy of the area, essentially clear cutting. The character and history of the area would be LOST
Request to “double” the easement – is purely to fit 6 cars in the new McMansion Emergency vehicles can get down the current driveway, the expansion will not allow them to “turn around”
Not to mention Several months of digging, noise, construction equipment surrounding Glen, Northern Parkway and Sterling will be impacted. And you thought PSE&G was annoying!”
Only the applicant had an attorney, testimony by professional planner on behalf of applicant was clearly orchestrated to convince the Board that Case Law made their approval inevitable.
There seemed to be an implication from testimony that the Planning Board did not have any discretion whatsoever.
Resident Martin Walker pointed out on Facebook,” Hopefully discussed that attorneys are using case law to eviscerate our zoning regulations, and thus the stated intent of our LAST Master Plan.
In other words, State Law is being manipulated to render out village governance meaningless AND the village doesn’t field any legal opinions capable of countering this.
Without legal resources to translate future Master Planning into enforceable law…there IS no possibility of village governance.”
Our village is headed toward a path of no return. The liberal generation has loads of money to throw around and they can do whatever they want. I don’t see anyone who can stop them. Ridgewood is a playground for the rich. Macmansions, low income housing, giant wireless towers, garage………..the list goes on and on but in the end our roads never can get a coat of asphalt. Meanwhile homes are selling for ridiculous prices after a few hours on the market. Crazy times for Ridgewood.
Private attorneys at public meetings need to be put in their place. They are not in charge and are not entitled to bully board members. We’ve had enough of that in Ridgewood.
Amen to that, 11:51. They must be made to stop bullying our hardworking volunteers.
The new owners across the street from this house clear cut their property right before the tree ordinance went into effect. The neighborhood can’t afford to lose all these trees! It’s destroying the character of the neighborhood.
Just say no!!!!
Thank you everyone, appreciate it. We are now looking for some help collecting historical stories and photos of east glen. Send to denisealima@Verizon.net
Your voice is best heard at the Board meetings, the next one is October 3rd.
Watch out, Ridgewood residents. In name of “progress” and, for the profit of a few, the character and uniqueness of your town is been destroyed. If you loose it now, there will be no going back. RESIST!
Yes, #resist
I grew up not too far from here, and a similar project happened next door to my family home. Awful! I’ll make every effort to attend the next hearing on October 3.
Keep up the good fight!
I grew up across the street at no. 326 from 1962-77. Thehouse in question and surrounding property are irreplaceable. Hopefully this site can be saved. If I lived in the area would definitely attend the October meeting. Ridgewood planning needs to make the right decision on this request.
Jeffrey Voigt went on record (in The Record) stating that the property should be divided to keep it in line with other properties.
As a former resident of that address, I would really hate to see it destroyed!! It would be a crime to have 2 huge mansions spoil the quiet & serenity of the property!! I ff someone wants a house that big, let them buy one that’s already in town!!
As a former resident of that address, I would really hate to see it destroyed!! It would be a crime to have 2 huge mansions spoil the quiet & serenity of the property!! I ff someone wants a house that big, let them buy one that’s already in town!!
I grew up in Ridgewood. The back of our house faced Racetrack Road and the front Franklin Turnpike. The house was built sometime around the Civil War. It sat on a piece of property close to an old racetrack. During g repairs one day my father found an old newspaper from Civil War days
It had been stuffed in the side of a cellar window for insulation we assumed. Next to our property was a huge estate. Four car garage and a lot of land. It was all torn down for 12 new split levels. Our home was dol after my parent’s death, but the house is still their. Anyone remember Patty Burke’s In? It was also torn down for a nursing home.
I remember all of those places especially Paddy Burkes Inn. It is a shame to lose all of those old buildings but unless their designated “historical landmarks” they can be demolished.
Just a reminder that Oct 3rd is coming around the corner – don’t let subdivisions of historical areas in our neighborhood happen
The next meeting on this property is Dec 3rd. We can use all of the residents possible to support not only us but future developments in our town. It’s for all of us.