Monday, November 12, 2012
Neighbors fear the recommended design of the Schedler property – which includes a 90-foot baseball field – and related impacts would diminish their quality of life.
The Ridgewood Open Space Committee has recommended to the Ridgewood Village Council that the 7-acre Schedler property be developed to include a walking trail, preserve the Schedler-Zabriskie House and hold a 90-foot baseball field. But neighbors around W. Saddle River Road are none too pleased with the recommendations. On Oct. 24, Ralph Currey, the chairman of the Open Space Committee, told the council they're seeking a "balance" as to the development of the oddly-shaped property nestled between Route 17 and W. Saddle River Road. All – including officials, sports groups and neighbors – agreed the process should be modeled after the successful Irene Habernickel Family Park project. But you might not know it judging from the tone of the …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Ridgewood's Open Space Committee to make recommendations as to the fate of the 7-acre property near between West Saddle River Road and Route 17.
Will the historic house be saved? Will sports fields be created? Perhaps the site nestled between West Saddle River Road and Route 17 will become an arboretum or a small golf course? Residents are likely to have a better sense of what the Schedler property will become on Wednesday night when Ridgewood's Open Space Committee presents its recommendations for the 7-acre property purchased in 2009. At informal forums earlier this year, leaders of youth sports groups in town made it clear – the village is woefully underequipped to provide recreational opportunities for its youth and adults alike. A report commissioned by the Open Space Committee in 2010 found the village had roughly half of the state's recommended level of open space. With the …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
County officials came to express support for the preservation of the 190-year-old Dutch home on a site that may become sports fields.
A Bergen County Freeholder told historic preservationists they should develop a concrete plan to save the historic Zabriskie Schedler house, according to a report in The Ridgewood News. The Ridgewood Village Council purchased the 7-acre property containing the historic Dutch-frame house in 2009, predominantly using grant money. Local officials have said, however, they haven't had the money to develop the property and have left the property virtually untouched. The council in spring of 2012 held a series of community forums to elicit ideas for development. Members of the Residential Eastside Development (RED) group have heavily lobbied to preserve and restore the 1800s-era home. Their fears may be well founded, given the sudden demolition …
Monday, June 4, 2012
Final hearing on potential development of 7-acre property concludes with an important question – what's a 'balanced,' appropriate use of open space?
At the conclusion of "blank slate" hearings to mine the public's wishes on the development of the Schedler property, the age old question has emerged – what is an appropriate use of the precious little open space left in town? With the help of grants, the village purchased the roughly 6.5 acre site in late 2009 and has plans to purchase a remaining half-acre section in the next few months. Set between Rt. 17 and W. Saddle River Rd., the uniquely shaped property would require private fundraising for any development to be undertaken. Members of the Open Space Committee stressed they have no preconceived notions as to what should ultimately become of the Schedler property, and will only take a plan with "significant support" of the Ridgewood …
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
A 3.8 percent tax increase is set to be introduced at 7 p.m. with the final Schedler development property forum to follow at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall.
Officials will be formally introducing the 3.8 percent municipal tax increase on Tuesday night at Village Hall and finishing up the Schedler development site hearings. Should the 2012 municipal budget pass as expected, the average resident with a home assessed at $794,531 would pay $3,976 a year in municipal taxes should the budget pass after introduction. There are no layoffs planned in the upcoming year, though most departments are facing cuts. An additional $100,000 will be provided to the library to prevent closures in 2012-2013, a priority of several council members. The budget is scheduled to be officially approved on June 26, where the public can voice its opinion. The final Schedler property hearing is set to follow the budget …
Monday, March 19, 2012
Ridgewood Open Space Committee holding a series of public forums to hear input on undeveloped parcel
It's the largest remaining undeveloped parcel of land in a densely-packed, active village. Now, with a goal to raise money and test the waters of potential development opportunities, the Ridgewood Open Space Committee is holding several public forums to consider the input of residents. According to a news release sent by the committee, three forums will be held in the upcoming two months – April 19 at The Glen School; May 16 at Ridge Elementary; and May 29 at the Ridgewood Public Library. All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and run to about 9:00 p.m. Though the council has said the village simply doesn't have the money to develop the 7-acre site it purchased in 2009 for $2.7 million, it has endorsed the Open Space Committee's intention to …
barbara
4:27 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Correct...Habernickel is located in a very quiet corner of Ridgewood surrounded on all borders by private homes. The only access to this "family park" is Hillcrest Road, where teens are known for racing their cars very late at night. Most recently, a few teens from Waldwick were found at the "family park" drinking with open bottles. Obviously the quality of life takes a downward trend when a park… more ›