Nicholas Katzban , Staff Writer, @NicholasKatzban7:03 p.m. ET June 27, 2017
RIDGEWOOD — The Planning Board approved an application Monday night to build a five-story mixed-use development on the former site of Ken Smith Motors. Though board members and residents alike shared concerns regarding the project’s effects on the village’s downtown, a more than 30-year-old legal battle out of North Brunswick sealed the 6-1 approval.
The project would include 66 residential units, 5,500 square feet of retail and 150 parking spaces, all of which fall well within permitted ratios under the village’s master plan, which forced the hands of several board members, otherwise wary of the plan as submitted.
The planning board gentleman sitting on the far left at the end. He said before he voted yes:
It’s not so bad; Ridgewood is a busy place.
He also said:
When I first moved here Ridgewood had two hardware stores , hardly any traffic and a small town atmosphere. But now things have changed. The new mixed-use complex with about 66 units on Franklin represents progress.
And Saraceno said at the mic: Ridgewood residents will be proud of the new building after it is built, Even Melonie (Planning board member who voted no.)
Saraceno also said he has been a resident here for twelve years; he is an expert developer and he cares about Ridgewood.
So what is the problem?
So what are we up to now regarding number of new units and number of new parking spaces (aka additional vehicles)?
Its shame the developers are being allowed to do this damage to our town.
Better start putting that new wing on Ridge School – that’s where all of the apartment dwelling kids will be headed….
“Better start putting that new wing on Ridge School – that’s where all of the apartment dwelling kids will be headed….”
I guess its official… Willard finally bests Ridge as the most desirable elementary school (and Ride will slowly slide to last place in 10 years)
Here fixed that fer ya…
Saraceno also said he has been a resident here for twelve years; he is an expert developer and he cares about sucking all of the money he can out of the gullible Ridgewood residents and running roughshod over the hapless Ridgewood Village Council
.
Saraceno said he’s been a resident for more than 20 years.
And you people pay no attention until it’s tooo late
1:04. Why would you inject your childish imaginary competition about schools into this?
When my two adult children apply for jobs they are asked about their college degrees, No one cares where you went to elementary school. Elementary school does not improve your IQ. If your kids are not “A” students don’t blame the school.
The apartment dwellers will never see Ridge…they will be forced to go to Orchard or Somerville….
@1:04 please. Have you checked who the apartment dwellers are recently? These apartments are filled with children who overachieve academically…every school will struggle if they are over-filled, and the Board of Ed has already stated they will redistrict. Agree, Orchard will get bigger but they have room..
They belong to Ridge.
More agressive car maneuvers outside Ridge at 3:00.
Do you think that the new residents will walk when the residents closer to Ridge drive?
I – I am not sure what you are arguing here? Chestnut Village and the one discussed here (KS broad street) are zoned Ridge. Dayton (down Broad) is zoned Orchard and the Enclave on Maple is zoned Sommerville. That said, the district has said and has the power to redistrict at any point.
The town has not cared about the chaos at Ridge for as long as I have lived here…done nothing about it….all of a sudden 80 new apartments is hardly going to cause anyone to care.??.
Anonymous cyber cranks… YOU LOSE!!!!! hahahaha!
its your business and property values that will decline
From what i see in home sales property values look pretty good.
Let’s hope the assessment And taxes cover the extra school costs. That would have to be at least 500k per apartment
And stand by for one-day a week watering, and eventually a full watering ban.
7:36, i hope someone handles your finances, your math is horrendous!