Public Hearings on five proposed massive zoning changes
file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, If you have felt silenced or rushed by the “three-minute buzzer” at past Village Hall meetings, take note: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is your night to be heard.
The Ridgewood Village Council is set to hold critical Public Hearings on five proposed zoning changes. Unlike regular public comment periods, these are formal ordinance hearings governed by the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
Here is what you need to know about your legal rights as a resident and why you shouldn’t stay home.
Your Rights Under NJ State Law
Many Ridgewood residents have expressed frustration with the customary time limits and the “two-minute bell” used during standard meetings. However, for the January 14 hearing, the rules of engagement change significantly:
-
No Limit on Number of Speakers: Under NJ State Law, the Council cannot cap the total number of residents who wish to speak on a pending ordinance.
-
No Arbitrary Time Limits: During a formal Public Hearing on an ordinance, the usual 3-minute limit is not strictly enforceable in the same way as “Public Comment.” Every resident has the right to provide a full testimony regarding the zoning changes.
-
The Right to a Second Turn: If you have additional points to make, you are legally allowed to speak a second time, provided that everyone else who wished to speak has had their first opportunity.
What is at Stake? The 5 Zoning Changes
The council will be voting on five significant zoning ordinances that could reshape the character of Ridgewood. These changes impact:
-
Housing Density: Potential updates to multi-family residential requirements.
-
Commercial Development: Adjustments to what can be built in our downtown and business districts.
-
Neighborhood Character: Regulations affecting setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage.
Don’t Be Intimidated—Show Up!
The Mayor’s customary “speaker limit” will not be in effect for these specific hearings. This is a rare opportunity for the community to provide exhaustive feedback without the pressure of a ticking clock or a buzzer.
Meeting Details:
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Where: Ridgewood Village Hall, Courtroom/Council Chambers
Time: Check the official agenda (usually 7:30 PM)
Quick Guide: Public Hearing vs. Public Comment
| Feature | Standard Public Comment | Ordinance Public Hearing |
| Speaker Limit | Often capped by the Mayor | Unlimited |
| Time Limit | Usually 3 Minutes | Flexible/No strict cap per NJ Law |
| Repeat Speaking | Generally not allowed | Allowed after all have spoken |
| Topic | Anything | Specific to the Ordinance |
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
But realize that if the Council votes these ordinances down, state law gives developers tremendous ability to sue and win judgements for even higher density projects, and then we lose what little control we have. The problem here isn’t these ordinances or this Council, it’s state law.
The problem is the council
That’s an incredible contribution. By which i mean useless and noninformative.
The problem is the democrats in state positions and the citizens who voted for them year after year and yet expect things to change
100% correct.
Don’t waste this space bashing political parties. Go to the meeting and support the efforts to preserve Ridgewood’s suburban lifestyle.
What outcome are you hoping for? That the Council votes down the ordinances? Because what happens after that and developers win Buliders Remedy lawsuits (which they will) and build even bigger?
I too don’t want huge construction here. I’m just trying to figure out the best path to actually minimize it.
Seriously? It is the DEMOCRATS, at the state level (legislative and judicial), passing and interpreting laws supporting these destructive practices. These few bits of text (data) are not ‘wasted space’; this is a blog. They have plenty of space. You are just deflecting. YOU put these folks in office. Deal with it.