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May 4, 2006
Rescuing Ridge Hill
Today's editorial in The Journal News identifies the middle ground between the plaintiffs, who successfully sued to reinstate City Council rules, and Bruce Ratner, whose controversial Ridge Hill development in Yonkers was dealt a big setback:
The council did not have a supermajority necessary for the zone change last year, and it is doubtful that one exists now. Ridge Hill opponents seem implacable, regardless of what concessions are made. Lesnick, though, does not appear to be one of the diehards. He told Cablevision News 12 Tuesday that the lawsuit was about principle, "never about stopping Ridge Hill," which he called "a good project." We agree. Now it is up to him as council president, with credentials as a professional planner and former Yonkers director of development, to move it along.
NoLandGrab: Since the court's ruling puts some of the decision making process back into the hands of the community, Bruce Ratner will be forced to listen to the community's concerns, largely over traffic circulation, in order to advance his project. He should try it - it might be habit-forming.
Posted by lumi at May 4, 2006 7:00 AM