Residential permit parking approved for Eastside neighborhood
By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 29, 2015
The city council approved an ordinance Tuesday evening creating a residential permit parking zone on East 38th and East 39th Streets.
The new ordinance was crafted after Eastside section residents complained about lack of parking in the area due to a new nightclub. Residents said patrons of the Bonfire Mofongo House and Lounge on Market Street were occupying their parking spaces.
Parking on East 38th Street between Market Street and 21st Avenue and East 39th Street between Market Street and Vreeland Avenue will solely be for permit holding area residents from Friday 5 p.m. to Saturday 8 a.m., according to the ordinance, and Saturday 5 p.m. to Monday 8 a.m.
Residents will be able to obtain 48-hour temporary parking permits for their visitors. The ordinance also has exceptions to allow companies in residential areas to obtain permits for their employees by presenting paystubs and other required documentation, according to the ordinance.
Kenneth Morris, councilman at-large, who is behind the measure, said he would like to see the program expanded throughout the city in the future. He said the city will learn from the geographically limited implementation in the Eastside section to correct any issues that may arise so as to prevent a “disastrous” citywide roll out at some future date.
“We’re basically testing this program,” said Morris.
The council held a public hearing on the ordinance before it was unanimously approved by the governing body.
City resident Tom Fuscaldo was the sole speaker during the public hearing. He asked whether residents will be paying for the parking spaces.
The ordinance does not set a fee to obtain the permits. City officials have said the limited roll out in the Eastside section will be free; however, the municipality will likely incur administrative costs associated with printing and issuing the permits.