Ridgewood should not rush public hearing process
JULY 10, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
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Council should not rush hearings on downtown housing
To the Editor:
Re: “Council sets up meeting timeline,” The Ridgewood News, July 3, page A1.
Why is the Village Council eyeing its mid-September public meeting as the one and only date on which an official public hearing will be held for as many as four ordinances related to a master plan amendment approved by the Planning Board last month which would permit high-density multifamily housing in the village’s Central Business District?
In 2011, Village Council members scheduled its official public hearing on The Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion over six separate dates. The schedule was developed to ensure there would be ample opportunity for residents to express their views on the issue, and that no individual(s) would miss out due to planned business travel/vacation, family emergency, illness, etc. Council members then were also concerned about meeting room capacity and allowing ample time for comments. Current Mayor Paul Aronsohn was a member of that council.
Although Mayor Aronsohn has indicated that the issue may be brought up during the public comment portion of any council meeting held between now and mid-September, strict time limits may be imposed on comments made during those meetings, and individual speakers desirous of speaking again may not be given the opportunity to do so as is required during an official public hearing.
The question now becomes, what’s the rush here? Why are Mayor Aronsohn and his fellow council members planning to schedule just one official opportunity for residents to comment? The mayor was a primary proponent of a former council’s plan to allow multiple opportunities for official public comment regarding The Valley Hospital expansion plan. Why the change in attitude related to a proposal for high-density, multifamily housing in our Central Business District? Am I missing something here?
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood
Yes, indeed, what is the rush? Give the public ample opportunity to say what they want to say. This garage is not a life-or-death situation.
It is life or death for Mr. Vagianos.
I can’t wait until they ignore the results of the faux referendum.
Its a done deal. The 3 amigos are just going through the motions to make it look like they really care about what the residents think.
No 11:42 Gyenn will get all of her suck up senior to come out to vote with an offer of free food.
I hear that Gyenn has asked Halaby and Griffen to drive the Valley Hospital donated busses to pick up senior citizens so they can vote yes on the garage. After they vote they will all be treated to home backed brownies .
(baked) Sorry.