Valley Rendering by Z. Putnins and C. Benson
Valley Hospital puts up marker at height of proposed new building
Friday, June 21, 2013
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — An orange marker was erected on top of The Valley Hospital to represent the height one of the new buildings will reach if a proposed expansion plan is approved, in response to requests by residents and Planning Board members who are concerned by the size of the project.
The square mesh atop poles was erected Wednesday morning at 94 feet high, representing the height of one of the proposed buildings with rooftop mechanicals, said Megan Fraser, a hospital vice-president.
Residents remained skeptical, saying an orange square doesn’t really help them visualize how a building that high will look in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
“It’s in the center of the building and the one they’re proposing will sit closer to the school property line,” said Lorraine Reynolds. “You can’t judge what a 94-feet-high massive bulk building will look like based on a stick.”
Jonathan Drill, an attorney for Valley, told the Planning Board the hospital had set up the marker at one of two meetings the village held on the issue this week. “We put this up because that’s what you asked for,” he said.