Valley Expansion Still Needs Ridgewood Council OK

Although the Ridgewood Planning Board incorporated a significant expansion to the Valley Hospital in the Ridgewood Master Plan, construction going forward is anything but a done deal.

Village attorney Matt Rogers outlined to the newly seated Village Council last week the process to accept or reject a hospital upgrade that would more than double Valley's landmass.

No matter what its ultimate decision, the four-member council must answer many questions before a course of action is undertaken. One things for certain—it will take time.

"This is something we will not finish in a month or two months... It will take quite some time to review this all," Ridgewood Mayor Keith Killion said.

Rogers explained to council its many requirements and responsibilities to set the village's future course. Even though council is "required" to act, there's no time-frame, and minimal legal precedent ties council to any immediate decision.

In amending the Master Plan, the Planning Board rezoned the 15.4-acre hospital to increase building mass by nearly 600,000 square feet. Although updated, Rogers said, the Master Plan is a policy document with no actionable authority. Council must codify the approve policy in an ordinance before Valley can apply for building permits.

As Councilman Paul Aronsohn said, the Master Plan has "no practical application without action by council."

Throughout its process—which involves reviewing Planning Board testimony, questioning aspects and eventually drafting an ordinance—council has said the public will be involved.

Concerned Residents of Ridgewood spokesman Paul Gould said he has been "given assurances" that council will hold numerous public hearings. Killion said logistical problems wouldn't hinder the public from being involved in the process. 

The final Planning Board hearing June 21 was held at George Washington Middle School, and many residents were prevented from entering due to fire code restrictions.

First, Rogers said, the Planning Board must memorialize its Master Plan amendment in a resolution. Following the official resolution, the board will turn over all documentation and testimony to council. 

Deputy Mayor Tom Riche asked if council could call witnesses. Rogers said questions could be referred back to the Planning Board or experts could be brought before council.

For action to proceed, a majority of council members—in this case three—must approve an ordinance. If council agrees with the Planning Board, an ordinance will be written similar to the Master Plan amendment.

If council disagrees entirely or in part with the amendment, it must declare its ordinance is "inconsistent with the Master Plan and spell out why it's inconsistent," Rogers said. Council's justifications for objection must be "based on sound principle of zoning and planning."

The decision must be recorded in meeting minutes, and council members are required to support their justifications for rejection.

Aronsohn asked Rogers who decides on the validity of council's decision. The attorney said he would advise council on its merits, but no other body approves the vote. But as happened in a council rebuke of the Planning Board in the 1980s, Valley Hospital—or other interested parties—could challenge the Village Council in court.

Following the death of Councilwoman Anne Zusy, Village Council decided against filling her seat before a November election. Rogers said a four-member body could still decide on Valley expansion.

Council must wait for the Planning Board to take action before officially beginning deliberations. 

As for residents opposed to the expansion, Gould said the Concerned Residents of Ridgewood was interviewing attorneys, fundraising and formulating its next move.

"(Valley) may have won the Master Plan battle, but we hope the Village Council will decide otherwise," Gould said.

He said he hopes council is "careful and deliberate," and noted that the "process itself is paramount."