Votes at a glance: Ridgewood adopts overlay ordinances, sets hearings for capital bonds
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Summary
On Feb. 11 the Ridgewood Village Council adopted Ordinances 4071–4075 (overlay zones and affordable‑housing set‑aside changes) and approved first readings for capital/bond ordinances 4084 and 4086 with hearings set for March 11, 2026.
What the council approved on Feb. 11, 2026:
- Ordinance 4071 — Create S1 Senior Overlay Zone District: Adopted on final reading (motion and second recorded). Roll call: Mortimer, Perrin, Weitz, Winograd and Mayor Paul voted yes. Outcome: approved. Council noted planning‑board review to follow.
- Ordinance 4072 — Create TO1 Townhouse Overlay District: Adopted on final reading. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 4073 — Create CR1 Commercial‑Residential District: Adopted on final reading. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 4074 — Modify zoning standards for B1 and B2 districts (CBD changes): Adopted on final reading; Mayor recused from this item and deputy mayor presided. Outcome: approved (recusal noted).
- Ordinance 4075 — Modify mandatory affordable housing set‑aside standards: Adopted on final reading. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 4084 — Bond ordinance for water utility improvements (first reading): Appropriating $4,955,600 and authorizing $4,707,600 in bonds or notes; hearing set for 03/11/2026.
- Ordinance 4086 — Bond ordinance for various capital improvements (first reading): Appropriating $6,799,545 and authorizing $6,459,428 in bonds or notes; hearing set for 03/11/2026.
Consent agenda: Resolutions 26‑48 through 26‑67 were adopted by single vote and included temporary water/capital budgets, security upgrades, professional services authorizations, donations for parks and fields, contract awards and appointments.
Notes: Several items generated protest during public comment, particularly the overlay ordinances tied to a Kensington proposal. Residents and a local attorney raised concerns about consistency with the master plan and whether required findings were placed on the record. The council characterized the package as necessary to preserve builders' immunity and local control.