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City council delays resident-only parking for the Eastside section | Paterson Times

City council delays resident-only parking for the Eastside section

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A proposal to create resident-only parking for residents of East 38th and East 39th Streets to alleviate parking problems resulting from conversion of a restaurant on Market Street to a wildly successful night club has been delayed.

Council members postponed a vote on the ordinance over details of the measure that included a 30-day temporary permit for guests.

“What happens when the residents have visitors during the weekend?” asked Ruby Cotton, 4th Ward councilwoman, last Tuesday.

Alex Mendez, councilman at-large, responded that a resident will have the ability to obtain a temporary permit for 30 days.

“30 days is way too long for a temporary permit,” said councilman at-large Kenneth Morris, who is the main impetus behind the ordinance. He wants that clause revised to a 48-hour temporary permit with the ability to renew for additional time.

Morris also did not like the $50 fine the ordinance levies against violators. “The 50 fine almost becomes a cost of doing business,” said Morris. He said he wants cars ticketed and towed so as to deter violators from parking in the first place.

The measure was proposed by Morris after a number of residents living near Bonfire Mofongo House and Lounge complained about rowdy patrons seizing their parking spots along East 38th and East 39th Streets.

Morris’ measure will bar non-residents from parking on East 38th Street between Market Street and 21st Avenue and East 39th Street between Market Street and Vreeland Avenue from Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The measure, which has been delayed until the next workshop session, is a pilot initiative that Morris hopes will eventually be adopted throughout the city. Cotton and 2nd Ward councilman Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman asked for similar measures in some of their parking starved neighborhoods.

Morris said the next workshop session will allow council members to work out the details of the proposals including type of sign the residents will be using to indicate they reside on the block.

“It’s a great idea. I’m going with you,” said Cotton.

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