Ridgewood Planning Board “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,”
JUNE 17, 2014, 9:00 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2014, 10:54 PM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS AND CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — In a surprising and resounding defeat for The Valley Hospital, the Planning Board on Tuesday night voted against the hospital’s plan to nearly double in size.
The audience erupted in cheers after each vote against a master plan amendment that would have allowed the expansion. When the voting was done, the count was 5 to 2 against and residents who have opposed expansion for eight years were rejoicing in the auditorium of Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where the meeting was held.
“It’s a great decision for Ridgewood,” said Thomas McAndrews. “It would have strained our quality of life if it were allowed to go through.”
Most of the board members who rejected the plan used the same word — “detrimental” — in explaining the impact of the proposed expansion on the village.
“It’s Valley’s burden to show that change is warranted and I don’t believe Valley has met that burden,” said Mayor Paul Aronsohn, who is also on the Planning Board and cast a vote against the amendment. “I don’t think the proposal will serve the best interests of the community.”
Kevin Reilly, another board member who voted against the plan, agreed. “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,” he said.
Valley executives declined to comment after the vote, instead issuing a short statement: “While we are disappointed by the Planning Board’s vote, we remain committed to serving our patients with award-winning care and developing a long-term facilities solution to ensure we can meet that commitment.”
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/update-ridgewood-planning-board-votes-against-valley-hospital-expansion-plan-1.1036876#sthash.GZmAZi25.dpuf
Thank you, Planning Board. The 5 of you who voted “no” did the right thing for our town.
I’m optimistic this ‘sends a signal’ that large apartment complexes are also ‘detrimental’ to the Village.
No reason to reward speculators who ‘made a bet’ that zoning could be changed.
Thank you, Planning Board, for protecting our village by voting “no”.