>Valley Hospital’s neighbors have expressed fears for some time that their property values will decline during Valley’s massive “Renewal” construction project .
It is pointed out on many occasions and particularly by the Concerned Citizens Group that the Village’s own land use and development laws set forth guidelines that should be followed when officials are considering building design and placement. A consultant was even brought in to make recommendations and tone down the project and make it both usable for Valley yet not overwhelm the neighborhood.
As it stands current Village code calls for buildings that “promote a desirable visual environment which is harmonious with the character of existing development and which enhances the character of the surrounding neighborhood and the Village as a whole, and avoids adversely affecting the value of adjacent or nearby properties.”
Neighbors have voiced several main concerns including increased traffic and congestion, a huge construction project near a large middle school and the overwhelming of the neighborhood buy such a huge building not in fitting with the Village of Ridgewood’s character.
To many neighbors its seems obvious that the area will for sometime become a less desirable place to live so when resident Edward Markus asked the board if they were considering whether depressed property values, due to the effects of construction, would entitle residents in the area effected to receive reductions in their property tax assessments. The Board responded with the standard “I know nothing” made famous by Sergent Schultz in the TV series Hogans Hero’s.
That is not good enough. Clearly the neighborhood will be taking the brunt of the “Valley Renewal ” so perhaps its time to consider that, face facts and act accordingly.
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
article in the Ridgewood News :https://www.northjersey.com/news/94557754_Safety__effect_on_property__values_concern_neighbors.html
