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Ridgewood Residents Seek Results In Comprehensive Development Studies

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Village residents are hoping officials finally answer questions they’ve long been asking about four high-density developments possibly coming to Ridgewood.

Ridgewood residents protest at the Sept. 30 public hearing on the high-density developments.

Ridgewood residents protest at the Sept. 30 public hearing on the high-density developments.

Photo Credit: Dana Glazer

“Residents were told that as the Planning Board work sessions moved forward into a public hearing, there would be ample time to address questions,” said Amy Bourque, a representative of Citizens For a Better Ridgewood.

“After three years of public testimony, many questions still remain unanswered,” she said.

The Village Council during its Sept. 30 meeting tabled a vote on a proposed Master Plan amendment that would have boosted the number of proposed units per acre from 12 to 35 around the Central Business District, making way for multi-family apartments. Council Member Michael Sedon asked for the studies and was seconded by Susan Knudsen.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn promised during the meeting that new studies would explore the various concerns. He also said some have been addressed and can be accessed on the village website.

Bourque, who’s attended nearly every council meeting since the process began in January 2013, founded the grass roots Citizens For a Better Ridgewood group with three other residents to keep their neighbors informed.

Trouble is: There's been precious little worthwhile information to share, she said. 

"Experts and developers testified and spoke at length as to site-specific details but never touched upon what concerns residents most: the cumulative effect of adding several apartment complexes to downtown Ridgewood at one time," Bourque said.

Concerns remain over the potential effect on Ridgewood's tax base, aging infrastructure and traffic flow.

Daily Voice is seeking reports addressing these through a New Jersey Open Public Records Act request.

Community activist Dana Glazer said the vote postponement "saved Ridgewood from falling off a cliff."

"I hope we can come up with solutions that can help everyone and make this Village a better place to live and retain what makes it special: its character," Glazer said.

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