July 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Ridgewood Valley Hospital master plan change now before council by John Koster The Ridgewood Planning Board’s approval of a master plan revision to pave the way for a major renovation at Valley Hospital does not meant the project can proceed. Ridgewood Village Attorney Matthew S. Rogers explained last week that the change in the Ridgewood Master Plan is essentially theoretical and that the ordinance making it legal can only be adopted by a clear majority vote of the Ridgewood Village Council. “This is something that’s not going to be accomplished in a month or two months,” Mayor Keith Killion said. “It’s going to take some time to review it.” Last month, the Ridgewood Planning Board accepted a revision of a previous revision to allow five floors instead of four, underground parking, and a technical upgrade, to Valley Hospital. The bed count of 454 would remain essentially the same. Neighbors of the hospital and some other residents had argued through 30 to 35 Ridgewood Planning Board meetings over three years that the alterations – and in particular, the ongoing construction – would lower their property values and possibly endanger them through dust and truck traffic. The revision to the master plan drafted by Ridgewood’s professional planner, Blaise Brancheau, was an update of the sixth proposal by Valley Hospital’s professional planner, Ray Skorupa. “The master plan is basically a public statement and there have to be ordinances that enact that policy,” Village Attorney Rogers said at last week’s work session. “The governing body has to adopt ordinances and set the zoning policy.” Rogers said that at least three of the five council members would have to approve the change. While the council could theoretically vote while there are only four seated members, a three-vote majority would still be required for adoption of the ordinance to change the zoning ordinances that are the legal implementation of the master plan. “The master plan has no practical authority without the action of the council,” Councilman Paul Aronsohn explained, as Rogers concurred. Councilman Thomas Riche asked if the governing body would be able to call planning board members and other experts who had testified as witnesses. Rogers said he thought that would be possible. He added that, in the only similar case he knew of, a revision deemed inconsistent had lapsed and been discarded because the governing body took too long to act. Outlining the procedure, Rogers said the planning board would have to send the Ridgewood Council minutes of the relevant meetings, the council would have to review them, and only then could the council decide whether the revision was consistent or inconsistent with the master plan. The council members would then have to decide whether to sustain the consistency or to permit or oppose the inconsistency. The council has the ultimate authority. Officials do not expect quick action on this issue due to the need for review and the desirability of a five-member council. The council will not have five members until after the November election, when a successor for the late Councilwoman Anne Zusy is elected through an off-schedule, non-partisan vote as part of the general election. Guitar Sale! 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