Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
September 4,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:49 PM
Ridgewood Nj, Are many sidewalks in the Central Business District (CBD) impassable to those with disabilities, particularly those confined to wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters, because of sidewalk cafes, or is the problem limited to one or two locations?
During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld promised that Village officials would soon conduct a walking tour of the CBD to assess the situation, and then recommend/suggest changes if and where they are appropriate.
This taxpayer wonders why no immediate action, in the form of summonses or written warnings, is being taken if a complaint has been filed about a specific location, and non-compliance with the sidewalk cafe ordinance has been verified?
All photos accompanying this post were taken on 9/4/2014, the day following Ms. Sonenfeld’s announcement.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Great photos as usual…. thank Boyd.
No need for any vigilanti groups to form. Periodic walk through by Volunteer Chamber members can appropriately inform it’s members of any corrections of their sidewalk obstruction may be obvious and request a correction.
That’s better PR don’t you think ?
Most places are done well and do not pose a problem. The ones that only allow a one-way, single file of pedestrians have gone too far.
There’s no room on Broad Street and they fill the sidewalk with tables side by side taking up even more room. You literally have to walk single file through diners to pass. Look at Café 37.
The pizza joint on Chestnut Street, A Mano, is the worst offender. No room at all on the sidewalks there.
And of course let’s mention the big intrusive planters that certain restaurants erect, blocking people from getting in and out of cars, making the sidewalks even more obstructed. How do they get away with all of this? It is as if the pedestrians are not welcome on the sidewalks. And by the way they are called sideWALKS, for people who want to WALK.
Why do people want to eat outside in Ridgewood, anyway? I never got it.
Patience. This won’t be an issue in like, two months.
Smokers.
alot of people like out side cafe style dining
This calls for the First Annual Village Pub Crawl!
Can you really smoke at the outside tables?
I think that a themed pub crawl,would be interesting. But we don’t have very many pubs. They are all hamburger places.
At most restaurants, yes.
Nothing will happen. They are chamber members and therefor exempt in the eyes of the Council.
What about the permanent planters at It’s greek to me. I guess it pays to have friends on the council.