Ridgewood Planning Board details process, payment for hearings
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014, 6:00 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
“Rights” related to money spent by amendment applicants on hearings before the Ridgewood Planning Board – including the payment of village professionals, as detailed in Ordinance 3066 – were among the topics discussed during a review on Tuesday of proper board behavior.
The idea that Ridgewood’s applicants are afforded additional rights – beyond those afforded to applicants in other communities, who may not foot the bill for municipal experts during the hearing process – was ultimately rejected by the board attorneys.
But one key point was revealed: Ridgewood has the right to foot the bill for a master plan amendment application hearing, with or without Ordinance 3066 on the books, and thereby bring only its own experts in for a hearing, rather than also including an applicants’ experts.
During the discussion, Planning Board Attorney Gail Price also presented a legal overview regarding Open Public Meetings Act requirements and board obligations related to the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL).
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-planning-board-details-process-payment-for-hearings-1.1083491#sthash.uZY7zkt6.dpuf
In the full article that was linked, when asked about architectural drawings….
—-Price noted that applicants “present what they think is going to help their particular interests,” including elements “probably irrelevant to a master plan presentation.”——–
Yes, but when opponents of a master plan change for Valley wanted to present information, their testimony was not presentable because it was deemed a quasi-judicial hearing and the opponents weren’t experts.
Applicants can present irrelevant information, opponents cannot present information unless they have deep pockets to hire experts.
Definition of a Public Hearing;
“an official meeting where members of the public hear the facts about a planned road, building, etc. and give their opinions about it”
In Ridgewood, we don’t get to opine. The Planning Board attorney will not allow it. The public takes a back seat to a room full of lawyers and experts. The whole thing is a sham.