I hope you had an enjoyable summer, and I hope that all of our families with school-aged children have settled into an exciting new academic year filled with learning and fun!
Over the summer months, the Village continued to work on several important projects and initiatives. I’d like to provide an update on five key matters:
- Valley Health System Property Taxes
The Village is pleased to report that property tax payments for the former Valley Hospital site are up to date for 2025. The property became taxable after hospital operations moved to Paramus in April 2024. Valley Health made a partial tax payment this past June, which acknowledged responsibility, and the remaining balance (including penalties and interest) was satisfied following a tax sale in July. Discussions continue regarding multiple Valley properties in the Village, which remain under appeal.
- Affordable Housing Mandate and Proposed Assisted Living Facility Zoning
At its August 13th meeting, the Village Council voted down a zoning ordinance that would have rezoned North Maple Avenue between Franklin and Marshall Streets to allow use for an assisted living facility. This rezoning was one of four proposals under consideration by the Council to meet the Village’s affordable housing obligations. The potential developer, Kensington Senior Living, has indicated that they will revise their plan and begin discussions with neighbors and the broader Ridgewood community. Since the August meeting, legal actions have been filed by both Kensington and the Fair Share Housing Center, relative to the Village’s affordable housing obligations. Both are being reviewed by Village legal counsel.Â
- Proposed Performing Arts Center at the Former Warner Theater
The Village Council is pursuing a partnership with the Ridgewood Arts Foundation (RAF) to secure a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) grant to transform the historic Warner Theater into a performing arts center. Preliminary funding allocations are expected soon, with contingency contracts currently under review. While management, fundraising and financial planning are all being finalized, RAF has already begun assembling a team to pursue the NJEDA grant and discuss operational considerations. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.
- Zabriskie-Schedler Park Development Project
On August 27th, the Village received conditional approval from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the development of a community park on the Zabriskie-Schedler property on West Saddle River Road. Plans include the creation of the History & Cultural Center of Bergen County at the historic house, walking paths, an ADA-accessible playground, an expanded natural buffer to separate the house from park activities, and a full-sized turf athletic field. The next steps include bidding for site remediation and preparation, both of which are subject to NJDEP approval. We are pleased that this project is moving forward after more than a decade and a half of discussion.
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Green Acres DiversionÂ
This past Tuesday evening, the Village Council held a public hearing regarding the Green Acres Diversion issue. This matter dates back to 1983, when park land on South Broad Street was developed into condominiums. In 2011, the Village was notified of a violation of NJDEP Green Acres regulations related to this development, creating what is known as a "diversion." The issue has lingered for more than a decade, and the Village is now acting to designate replacement parcels on Hammond Road and Marlborough Road to address the violation. In addition, new recreational facilities will be installed at Kings Pond Park, along with a payment to the Garden State Preservation Trust. The public hearing was a required step in the process, and it was valuable to hear from interested parties. The next step will be presenting the diversion plan to the State House Commission in Trenton, with the goal of finally resolving this long-standing issue. Importantly, once it is settled, the Village will become eligible for significant NJDEP grant opportunities in the future.
As always, if you have questions or would like to share your ideas, please contact me at 201-670-5500, ext. 2202 or kkazmark@ridgewoodnj.net.
