Traffic in Ridgewood Expected to Increase With Development

Traffic in Ridgewood is expected to increase if the development of three multifamily housing projects is approved in the downtown area. The Planning Board’s traffic expert testified to this statement earlier this week.

However, John Jahr of Maser Consulting said that should commercial buildings operate at the three proposed sites instead, the village would experience an even greater increase in vehicular traffic.

Jahr’s testimony at the Planning Board’s meeting Tuesday night stated that the three properties being eyed by developers for high density housing can be used for a multitude of commercial purposes.

Jahr’s findings match those of the developers’ own traffic experts. His analysis will play into the board’s decision to approve a master plan amendment that would potentially allow such developments in Ridgewood.

The master plan amendment has been in consideration for nearly two years.

The three housing developments are The Dayton, a 106-unit apartment building for South Broad Street; The Enclave, a 52-unit project on East Ridgewood Avenue and Chestnut Village, a 52-unit project on Chestnut Street.

Jahr testified that all three proposals would add some amount of traffic to the village, but he believes that more could be added if the sites are used for commercial purposes.

The site for The Dayton can be used for a supermarket and the site for Chestnut Village allows the building of a health club. Jahr noted that both these situations would add more traffic than the proposed residential use of the land.

Jahr also stated that if the master plan amendment is approved there would be more than just these three housing projects being proposed for downtown Ridgewood, further affecting traffic.

According to Jahr, most of the village’s traffic signals are outdated and the roadways around the proposed sites need to be improved.

Jahr proposed that the developers partner with Ridgewood to address these shortcomings so that any future traffic impact can be reduced.

Photo Credit: Peter Oumanski for NJ Monthly