Ridgewood experts weigh in on housing proposals
JULY 17, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014, 3:11 PM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
Ridgewood Water would not be impacted by the proposal to amend the village’s master plan to allow high-density housing, but the village’s need for open space would be exacerbated, experts told the Planning Board at a meeting July 15.
Three developers are petitioning the Planning Board to amend the master plan to allow multifamily housing in zones where the use is not currently permitted. A master plan amendment would be the first step in larger processes for the developers, who would then need to seek further approval for their sites.
David Scheibner, Ridgewood Water’s business director, said the developments, proposed for the Central Business District (CBD) would not strain the village’s water supply.
His conclusion assumed that the apartments would have “conversation-oriented appliances” and that the individual residents would not use a significant amount of water for lawns or other irrigation. A single meter would be installed for each of the developments, which Ridgewood Water would maintain.
As for impact, The Enclave (52 units, 106 residents, plus the possibility of commercial use) would collectively consume 5,300 gallons per day; Chestnut Village (52 units, 91 residents) would collectively consume 4,500 gallons per day; and The Dayton (106 units, 208 residents) would collectively consume 10,400 gallons per day.
Fire suppression flows would not be an issue for Chestnut Village, Scheibner said, but there would need to be a flow test conducted by Ridgewood Water for both The Dayton and Enclave due to the size of the existing water mains and limited reinforcing supply from the west due to the railroad tracks.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-experts-weigh-in-on-housing-proposals-1.1053299#sthash.O0UD2lya.dpuf
How could the stupid buffoon possibly say there will not be a water impact. What planet is he living on???
We have had lots of rain each week and yet we are in a water shortage right now. How does the prospect of 500 to 1,000 new toilets, showers, sinks, dishwashers and other water using things not increase the use of water?
Did anyone suggest he should quit his job and go be a politician as long as he is going to be so blatantly damn stupid???
Gee, sounds like Valley’s “experts.” Good luck with this B.S.
#1 your specific question is answered in the article but your broader point regarding the absurdity of the testimony is correct.
The question should be why does the expert think that using the predicted 20,000 gallons of water a day will not have an adverse effect on the water table? That is 7.3 million gallons a year based on their numbers. I do not understand how we have that much extra water since we have to use water restrictions every summer.
The water restrictions put in place are not based upon available water but, rather, Ridgewood Waters ability to pump it in an emergency situation. There IS enough water in the aquifer, but we do not have the infrastructure to provide it in times of high demand and the restrictions guarantee (hopefully) that there will be water avaialable in an emergency. Hence, restrictions which allow only half of the households in the Village to water on any given day. Mondays are used to rechagre Ridgewood Waters tanks.
That being noted, if we need water restrictions now to ensure public safety, how will adding all of these housing units effect the Village. I realize that they will not come with lawns but they will be using water (20,000 gallons/day).