A Small City in Suburban New Jersey Plans for its Future

Questions of density and demographics are challenging a planning process in Ridgewood, New Jersey—the first plan update in the village in more than 30 years.

1 minute read

March 9, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ridgewood

SevenMaps / Shutterstock

Alexis Shanes reports on a master plan process underway in Ridgewood, New Jersey, which is encountering questions about whether the plan should be tailored to younger or older populations.

"An early draft of the village’s new master plan sparked concerns this week from some leaders and residents about maintaining the village’s identity and raised worries about whether the village is doing enough to recruit younger residents," explains Shanes. An earlier article from February, also by Shanes, focused on the plan's impact on older residents.

Also challenging the process is the core mission of the process to maintain the village feel of Ridgewood, while also allowing for growth and transformation already underway. "The Hudson Street parking garage is under construction, as is multi-family housing downtown," according to Shanes. "The town’s beloved public library is expected to undergo renovations costing millions of dollars. Some old houses are being torn down to make way for modern ones."

Friday, March 6, 2020 in NorthJersey

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight