Potential Valley Vote Tonight Could Be Historic

Most likely, Ridgewood history will be made tonight. Convening at 7:30 p.m. in the George Washington Middle School auditorium, the Ridgewood Planning Board is set to deliberate on a plan that, if approved, would more than double thw building mass at the village's hospital—a potential vote more than three years in the making. 

The seven board members will decide if the Master Plan should be amended to allow Valley Hospital to grow an estimated 200 percent and occupy about 1.2 million square feet of lot coverage at its 15.4-acre complex on North Van Dien and Linwood Avenues. If approved, Phase I would take roughly six years to complete with no timetable for the second phase yet set.

Since the hospital initially approached the board in 2006, three experts and two drafts were needed to reach the current language that calls for an additional floor, increased building mass of 640,000 feet in the form of several new hospital buildings and parking structures, increased street setbacks (Linwood: 200 feet; Van Dien: 85 to 120 feet; Steilen: from 60 to 130 feet), additional underground parking—but only 70 more total spaces—and changes Valley from a shared-room to private-room facility, while nominally increasing bed counts to 454.

A traffic (Joseph Staigar), medical planning (Ray Skorupa) and geotechnical expert (Larry Keller) were contracted before Village Planner Blais Brancheau issued his final draft to the public. Over the past month, residents—speaking mostly in opposition—raised traffic, air quality, property value, children's safety, aesthetic and water quality concerns to the board. 

From the outset, the board said it sought a balance in pleasing both residents and the hospital. Its ultimate decision lies in evaluating if Valley's project benefits Ridgewood going forward.

What Valley Does for the Community

A part of the village for 55 years, Valley says it needs to increase building size to remain a modern medical center, a claim Skorupa affirms. One knock opponents use against the hospital is that as a non-profit, it doesn't pay taxes to the community. From the outside, the hospital appears to be a profit center.

Looking at Valley's most recent available 990-tax document, in 2008, its top 13 employees each earned more than $100,000 in base salary, with $282,000 after bonuses and other compensation are included. In total, Valley President and CEO Audrey Meyers made $1.3 million in 2008. Valley's total profits that year were nearly $44 million.

According to Valley spokesperson Megan Fraser, the hospital reinvests its revenue into "patient care services, new technology, our facilities, and recruiting and retaining our excellent staff. We also 'reinvest' in the health of our communities by providing programs and services that inform, support, and enhance the lives of our neighbors. Most of these programs are free or require a nominal fee that is subsidized by the hospital."

According to the hospital, it invested $1.8 million into "community benefits." Tax documents concur. 

The hospital is a sponsor for many events throughout the village, including Super Science Saturday, Jamboree, the Fourth of July Parade, and many Ridgewood school initiatives. Additionally, it gives scholarships to Ridgewood High School graduates and opens its doors to 45 students annually for its Ridgewood Academy of the Health Professions—a program where students work directly with health professionals.

Payment in lieu of taxes?

Although Valley's doesn't pay property taxes, it is charged for certain village services rendered. Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser summarized June 14 the hospital's sewage treatment usage by saying, "When it comes to water pollution, they are a good customer and they pay their fair share."

Valley paid about $206,000 in treatment costs last year—about 5.6 percent of the village's total bill. But other village entities currently aren't charging Valley for usage.

At a May budget meeting, both Ridgewood fire and police officials said considerable time—and, therefore, money—was spent on calls to Valley.

Then fire chief James Bombace said false alarm calls at Valley cost the village money annually. With taxpayers who habitually alert the department for false alarms—which he said is rare—Bombace said a silver lining exists in the fact that residents pay taxes.

For the police department, Chief John LiPuma said his officers go there every day. His force responds to thefts, emergency room scenes, and even helps large vehicles leave, as delivery trucks need assistance backing up onto the street.

Using Wyckoff Township as an example, the chief said, "When their EMS drops people off and the people go crazy, they call us... Sometimes patients become combative, and Valley's security can't handle it."

Both Bombace and LiPuma suggested council look into a fee system.

Although Deputy Mayor Keith Killion noted the benefits of a hospital in the community, he requested specific numbers on services to Valley. Councilman Patrick Mancuso and Mayor David Pfund mentioned the possibility of imposing a fee schedule.

"It's like we're their own personal security staff," Councilman Paul Aronsohn said.

LiPuma said the department couldn't neglect the hospital, "If something bad happened, everyone would wonder why we weren't there. Of course we should be." 

Last week, Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert said "the staff [is] itemizing the services provided to the hospital and other entities that may not be on the property tax list." 

A decision for payment in lieu of taxes was "for future discussion."

Residents' Concerns

In the one-month-plus of public comment, many residents urged the board to alter the plan further, study certain elements (like the environmental impact on the neighboring middle school) before voting, or rejecting it outright.

Some residents said the Valley intersection was unsafe. Through irony and/or poor timing, a car accident occurred last Thursday outside the hospital at the Linwood-Van Dien intersection, three days after Staigar said accident totals in the area were relatively low—only nine in a three- year span. Staigar did not immediately return requests for comments.

The potential effects on Benjamin Franklin Middle School and nearby Travell Elementary School are manifested in a YouTube video posted last week that slowly circulated through local e-mails. With nearly 1,200 views since being posted June 17, the video presents local architect Cathy Benson's renderings of the potential future vista at the middle school. The Cat Stevens' song "Where Do the Children Play?" underscored its concern for children's safety.

Many environmental issues—like effects on groundwater, air quality, noise and others—would be dealt with in future zoning ordinances and/or specific site plans. Further study can't occur until more detailed plans—spurred on by board approval—are drawn, the board said. Public comment will be accepted on those aspects, as well. Other issues, like the effect on property values, are outside its parameters, the board said.

And the Board Says...

Many potential outcomes tonight could result in several different scenarios. Chairman David Nicholson said the board will first decide if it has enough information to make a decision. If not, it could request additional studies to be done.

If the board decides it has sufficient information, then members will discuss potential amendments. If major ones are accepted, more public comment is required. If there are none, or if minor ones are approved, then the board will vote.

Deciding on the matter will be Nicholson, Pfund, Councilman-elect Tom Riche, Nancy Bigos, Morgan Hurley, Charles Nalbantian, and Anne Ward. Two board members—Albert Pucciarelli and Nick Tsapatsaris—recused themselves at the hearing's beginning. The seat occupied by the late Councilwoman Anne Zusy—who died earlier this month—has not been filled. Bombace retired as fire chief, and Bigos—deputy director of Parks and Recreation—took his seat.

If the board rejects the proposed H-zone amendment, Valley could appeal in Superior Court—as it successfully did in the 1980s. If members approve it, the newly seated Village Council—including Riche and Bernadette Walsh (who campaigned against the project)—would decide on approving new zoning ordinances before the project could move forward.

The vote could mark an historic construction project for the village. A simple majority is needed, and each board member is expected to share his or her views prior to voting.