The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online

Ho-Ho-Kus February 3, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Stream corridor protection measure reintroduced by Jennifer Crusco Ordinance #958, a stream corridor protection measure mandated by the state, has ﬁnally been reintroduced by the Ho-Ho-Kus Council. The ordinance, which aims to restrict development near local bodies of water, was introduced late last year, and was due for a public hearing at the council’s last meeting in December. However, the item was tabled after an interested resident indicated that she had multiple questions about the proposal. The council subsequently considered reintroducing the ordinance at its Jan. 1 sine die session, but ultimately opted to wait until the Jan. 26 public council meeting. At last week’s introduction, the council set a public hearing for Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. The ordinance will be up for public discussion and possible adoption at that time. The session will be a combined work session and public meeting of the council. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole again explained that the restrictions, conditions, and limitations the ordinance would create in riparian areas are promulgated by the State of New Jersey, and the borough is required to approve the measure. Mayor Thomas Randall reiterated that a lot of the restrictions included in the ordinance are already on the books. Bole agreed, stating that the reintroduced ordinance includes multiple citations of current New Jersey law. The concerned resident who approached the council in December pointed out that the restrictions in the ordinance could be signiﬁcant for a property owner who may wish to develop a parcel of land near a body of water. She stated that, if the ordinance stops people from developing their land, their properties could be worth less. She also commented on what she believes is subjective language in the ordinance, pointing in particular to the section on exceptions that could be granted in the event of an extraordinary hardship. Ordinance #958 was designed to protect and maintain waterways, and to comply with the state law that requires municipalities to adopt an ordinance that prevents new disturbance for projects or activities in riparian zones. The ordinance would protect riparian zones from all avoidable disturbances. According to the document, the riparian zone would be 300 feet wide along both sides of any Category One water (C1 water) and all upstream tributaries. The riparian zone would be 150 feet wide along both sides of the following waters and their tributaries: trout production and maintenance waters, any portion of water ﬂowing through an area that contains documented habitat for threatened or endangered plants or animals, and any segment of water ﬂowing through an area that contains acid producing soils. All other surface water bodies would have riparian areas of 50 feet in width. Applicants for a construction permit, subdivision, development, or other improvement that requires plan submissions and permits would be responsible to determine the presence of a riparian zone on a property. Some disturbances are considered exceptions. The borough engineer would be permitted to grant an exception in the case of redevelopment within existing impervious surfaces, and the zoning board of adjustment would have the authority to grant exceptions where new disturbances are involved. Residents urged to participate in census Ho-Ho-Kus ofﬁcials urge all borough residents to participate in the upcoming census. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census every 10 years. The 2010 questionnaire asks a few questions, including name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, race, and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home. The form takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail. The Census Bureau does not release or chare the information that identiﬁes individual respondents or their household for 72 years. Participation matters because each year more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. Census information is also used to reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and to plan for new hospitals, schools, and other services. drawingroomllc.com ACKERMAN’S Register for Semester 2 Classes Now at Music Center �� �� �� �� �� �� �� BK BOOKKEEPING & PAYROLL SERVICE, LLC Follow us on Facebook by joining the group. Drawing Room Fine Art & Sculpture Studio  QUICKBOOKS PRO SPECIALISTS Servicing All Small Businesses Phone: 973-423-0303 Fax: 973-423-3131 bkbookpay@optonline.net Annmarie Breeman • Nancy Kough  27 Central Ave • 2nd Floor • Midland Park 201•447•7272 Ridgewood YMCA Day Camp Family FREE For All for future campers ages 3-12 & parents Saturday, February 13th 6:00pm Pizza • Camper Games • Arts & Crafts Ice Cream • Mad Science • Prizes After Hours Family Swim Respond by Wednesday, Feb. 10th to reserve your family’s space cwolfstirn@ridgewoodym.org or jduke@ridgewoodym.org ® www.ridgewoodymca.org 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ 201-444-5600 x339 or x337 Ridgewood YMCA