Opponents Continue to Rally Against Valley Renewal

Hearings on the proposed Valley Hospital expansion have been marked by passionate opposition from residents who dislike the plan.

"It's David versus Goliath;" "Who wants to live on  Linwood Highway?" "Ridgewood will cease to be a special place;" and "It'll permanently destroy the character and quality of life in the village," are phrases from some members of the public who urge the village Planning Board to reject an amendment to its Master Plan, which would allow the hospital to increase its footprint to 1 million square feet—more than double its current size.

Holding yellow "Stop the Valley Hospital Expansion" signs, residents used the words "abomination," "horrific" and "terrifying" to describe the Valley Renewal project on Monday night.

However, hospital spokeswoman Megan Fraser said their view doesn't reflect the entire region. She said those who favor the Valley update are showing their support by not speaking.

Stating that Valley research indicates Ridgewood—as a village—approves the renewal, Fraser said, "Many residents voiced support at early meetings. Now, they'll attend the meetings and not speak so they don't take up any more time."

At Monday's hearing at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, residents raised concerns on children's safety, property taxes, traffic and size. Fraser said Valley values the community's input.

"We believe we've been a good neighbor. We share the concerns for the neighborhood," she said. "We've built a building in a safe environment before, and we want to protect our schools, neighbors, employees as well as  our patients."

However, several residents dispute that assertion.

Cathy Benson, a resident and licensed architect, questioned village Planner Blais Brancheau's May 12, 2008, statements on open parking decks and front-yard setback requirements. She pointed to two aspects of village code that ensure parking decks be enclosed; and accessory buildings be prohibited from being in a front yard.

Benson said these issues were raised in May 2008 but haven't been discussed since. Brancheau said the Master Plan amendment implies changes to village code. Additionally, he said parking lot discussions have been held multiple times in public sessions and to imply the board was unaware of developments is false.

Arguing that village codes should be preserved, Benson said they are "essential to the village... they help us keep the essence of the community aligned with history." 

Additionally, Benson asked if Valley had considered permanently requiring employees to be shuttled to the hospital from an offsite location. Chairman David Nicholson said the board would look into it. 

Several residents wanted the Master Plan amendment to contain environmental provisions. Nicholson said those concerns were valid, but said future site plans would contain more specific language.

"If the Master Plan amendment were approved then future legislation—and site plans—would have more thorough language," he said. "Certain things are appropriate for a Master Plan, and certain things will be studied later."

Describing already problematic traffic patterns, resident Terry Anzano said she was almost run off the road Monday while walking her dog at the Van Dien and Linwood intersection. She feared the increased traffic a Valley expansion would cause.

Medical planning expert Ray Skorupa, after requesting time for research, described three hospital expansion projects he said were similar to what Valley is proposing in that the hospitals are located in suburban settings. He listed St. Vincent's Hospital in Harrison, NY; Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, NY; and the Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle, NY, as comparable projects with schools nearby.

Another speaker disputed the similarities among those projects and Valley, noting that none of the New York examples borders a school. Additionally, none are entirely residential—they are marked by mixed commercial-residential use, he said—making Valley unique.

Public comment on the Master Plan amendment nears completion and may finish at the Planning Board's June 1 meeting (at a yet undetermined location). Nicholson asked Valley attorney Charles Collins and Concerned Residents of Ridgewood spokesman Paul Gould to prepare concluding remarks.