Groups Give Final Valley Remarks as Board Inches Toward Vote

Offering parting shots, supporters and detractors to the Valley Hospital expansion imparted their last pleas prior to a Planning Board vote on the Master Plan amendment.

In a capacity crowd at the Village Hall court room Tuesday night, the Planning Board heard concluding remarks from the Valley Hospital and activist group the Concerned Resident of Ridgewood—in addition to resident testimony—to the merits and demerits of a proposal to increase Valley's land use 200 percent.

A "Yes" vote from a majority of board members would update Ridgewood's Master Plan to allow for an expansion in the hospital zone. 

"As you take your vote, we urge you to consider the legacy that you will leave behind from your time on this board. The character of Ridgewood is in your hands," CRR spokesman Paul Gould said.

Since the hospital approached the village with its "Renewal" project in 2006, the Planning Board has drafted two Master Plan amendments that it hoped balanced the hospital's desires and resident's concerns. The current draft would increase building mass from 530,000 to 1 million square feet and height from four stories to five. The proposal also increases setbacks along borders (Linwood—200 feet; Van Dien—100 and 120 feet; and Steilen Avenue—60, 120 and 130 feet) to combat height.

The hospital sought to "correct the record," while the CRR enumerated on residential issues, village precedent and facts from the proceedings.

Valley attorney Charles Collins tried to "correct misconceptions" he felt had been raised during testimony. He disagreed with the assertion that Valley performed an "end run" by approaching the Planning Board and not the Zoning Board. As the proposed project would violate countless village codes, Collins said the Planning Board—with its more legislative authority—was more appropriate than the "quasi-judicial" Zoning Board. He said the latter would probably have directed them to the former anyway.

Additionally, Collins denied Valley would restrict itself from future building ("No one will know what the future holds," he said.); explained the Kraft House's removal in the mid-1990s stemmed from changes to floor-area ordinances—not residential concern—and added aspects to the discourse on Valley's history.

Throughout hearings, residents have echoed the words of the 1983 Village Council, which denied Valley's application for expansion. Collins said last night that the Planning Board originally approved plans, which council later rejected. Valley subsequently appealed the decision, and was validated by two victorious court decisions. The current Cheel Building represents that process.

In his own 15-minute remarks, Gould discussed Ridgewood's character preservation history (touching on the "McMansion" ban and rejection of a proposed water tower), elaborated on the effects on the neighborhood and school, and also attempted to dissuade the Planning Board from incorporating rumors (on Valley potentially leaving Ridgewood if the proposal were rejected) in its decision making. 

Gould recommended 20 percent lot coverage (current plans call for 60 percent), a maximum of 650,000 square feet of buildings, and a maximum of four-story buildings.

Residents speaking in less formal settings also weighed in for the penultimate time—at least for the Master Plan hearings. The board planned on concluding public comment last night, but several residents planned on attending a middle school concert at the same time. The board accommodated the residents and scheduled another meeting.

In a crowd that evenly sported "I Support The Valley Renewal" and "Stop Valley Now!" stickers, residents took the podium. For the most part, as was the case for recent public hearings, the speakers opposed expansion.

With his children in toe, Don Schwenker said the plans "were a preventable, BP disaster," alluding to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He questioned the ambiguous language on affordable housing obligations. The current Master Plan amendment alludes to potential obligations (which could amount to 99 units under current standards), but doesn't offer a specific plan. In previous hearings, Village Planner Blais Brancheau said COAH's potential reform made concrete affordable housing plans difficult to devise.   

Christina Krauss raised concerns of a potential conflict of interest for Mayor David Pfund. Mentioning Pfund's father's involvement with the hospital's board, Krauss asked if the Planning Board felt comfortable with Pfund serving.

Board attorney Gail Price said the matter was discussed at the hearing's beginning in 2006. Although other members recused themselves as nearby property owners, Pfund was deemed suitable to vote on the issue. 

The mayor himself said he wasn't offended by the inquiry. "I wouldn't want to sit through the 70 meetings and have it tainted at the end. I'm here because I'm elected by the people, and I think I'd shirk my responsibilities if I wasn't here."

Resident Geri Dawes favors the expansion. Talking between speakers, Dawes said she'd like Valley "to continue to provide quality service to people in the community." Although not a Valley employee, she has worked with the hospital in the past. She said that she "trusts" the board to make a fair decision.

Al Jones is another residential proponent. Admittedly, the West Side resident's wife works with Valley's foundation. He feels independent medical planner Ray Skorupa's recommendations validate Valley's proposal and thinks plans were improved based on his input.

"We have to recognize Valley is a benefit not just for Ridgewood but for the whole area. I think we have to... sympathize with the people who don't have a hospital in their town," he said. 

Chairman David Nicholson said all remaining speakers would take the floor June 7 at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Presumably, the board would vote at its June 14 meeting.