September 7, 2014. (Attention is called to the many comments which have been posted since this article first appeared on Sept 7.) Just look down and click on “comments” to read them.
What do you all think of this idea:
Each property tax payer in Ocean Grove is given only one windshield sticker allowing only those stickered vehicles to be parked on the north side or west side of the streets in Ocean Grove from June 1st of the year until September, the day after the flea market?
This would require an ordinance allowing property tax payers to receive Ocean Grove parking.
Joel T. Scranton
Ocean Grove, New Jersey
TEDDY THOMPSON from the movie Brokeback Mountain
Should we allow this man of means to park his trailer in the Grove?
Parking:
“The Coaster ” news has a letter to the editor asking anyone who has a problem with parking in Ocean Grove to contact the Mayor with ideas, solutions, opinions to change parking circumstances in Ocean Grove. After reading the letter I was under the impression Ocean Grovers have lost control over their government representing their needs.
This is not government’s fault rather constituents who do not control it by our Constitutional precepts … .”Government by the people, for the people.” If you do not participate by expression to government. There also seems a element of discontent with zoning in Ocean Grove. Only a small fraction of people act.
The parking problem has come about one zoning exception at a time. Every new building or renovation that creates more living units without providing additional parking is a step toward further parking frustration. The current zoning requirements on parking need to be enforced and new requirements need to be added to address the parking problem longer term. Developers with inside contacts get too many exceptions.
Here is the idea I sent the Mayor: “These parking laws would only be in effect summer months. Residents be given parking permits displayed on their vehicles one permit per resident address and all B & B residents included.
Allowing residents a chance to park their vehicles on the west and north sides of the streets between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Monday through Friday. (Once residents have parked there they can stay there as long as they wish).
Non residents would have to move their vehicles before 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm allowing residents a chance to park at least two hours out of day Monday thru Friday. All other hours of the day and Saturday and Sunday would be free game to everyone parking where ever they want.
Main Ave business district and Ocean Ave would be excluded from this parking ordinance, and parking there would remain the same as it is now.”
Oh please…if they can throw 400 vendors on that lawn, they can charge for parking on the weekends only and make a mint. (Seasonal only of course…) 🙂 AND its close to the beach so no buggy lugging by daytrippers!
Unless you can prove year long hardships to residents (i.e., Hoboken), the State will not allow resident only parking – especially since the state funds much of the cost of our paving of our roads.
The easy, cheap way to improve parking is to:
1) Mandate that reisdents with driveways park at least one of their cars in the driveway before they can park another car on the street.
2) Paint lines between which cars must park. This would eliminate the “Ocean Grove shuffle” – using 1 car to take up 2 spots.
3) When painting lines. paint designated areas in which 2 wheel vehicles must park. This would eliminate the practice of buyingf a used motor scotter for $200 and using it to block a full parking spot (“Ocean Grove shuffle #2).
P and P: I hope you parked before you got pickled. But, to be precise, the Great Auditorium is technically not a church. I don’t think Danny and the Juniors or Martha and the Vandellas would ever be performing in a church. But, if we had a temple in the Grove—-I once saw a belly dancer at a bar mitzvah party in Mt. Freedom. And if the gates are locked, how do you get out?
Well…did you know that an accessory use to a church is parking? Turn the Great Lawn into a summer parking lot. CMA makes money and I don’t have to sit on my porch from Thursday to Sunday and drink adult beverages wondering when everyone is gonna leave. Alternatively, lock the gates.
Or, provide parking stickers to homeowners and their LEGAL TENANTS only (3 months or longer). All visitors, children, grandchildren or daytrippers can park in designated areas like the north or south end and pay for parking to the CMA. Clear the streets, owners and tenants only by parking sticker registration and everyone else gets a ticket, pays for their parking privilege in a designated area or parks in another town.
In Hoboken, the resident parking stickers make it less burdensome to move one’s car. The other side of the street is open to tourist parking for 4 hours max – plenty of time for people to shop, eat, explore, etc. Anyone who is visiting and wants to stay longer can pay to park in a lot and walk to their destination or pay $1.50 to catch a local bus up and down the main drag. Renters and residents can obtain and pay for parking permits by showing a valid lease or other proof of residency. Fees from permits and citations pay for the officers to patrol and bring in extra revenue for the city.
There is no such thing as a perfect solution that will make everyone completely happy, but that doesn’t mean nothing should be done. As has been stated previously, times change, as do the needs of the people in town. It’s outrageous to put the parking needs of tourists above those of residents who not only pay (high) taxes, but contribute in other, innumerable ways to the well being of the community.
Why not deeded, numbered spots in front of homes and transferable decals for those who have an elderly relative visiting, etc.? Last thought – perhaps a beach badge discount for those tourists who have a receipt from an NJ Transit ticket, etc.?
We are smart enough as a community to find a way to be considerate of the tourists and beach goers and still make life easier for residents.
Carol. Would you agree to your plan if it only applies in season (e.g. May 1 to end Sept.) ?
As I read these comments, and yes, same comments over the past many years… I’ve spent many, many summers watching cars driving around looking for a spot on a Sat night before a concert, I wonder how the parking problem affects the attendance at the Great Auditorium. How much longer can OGCMA keep up the attendance even at a break even with no parking. I bet those attendees would pay an extra $10 to be guaranteed a spot in a parking lot/garage nearby.
Easy to say “parking is a great problem to have,” but not when people stop coming to spend time and money here. It is a wonderful building, but expensive to keep up. They could pay the $10 in advance when they buy their ticket, extra money to the box office.
I do think the spots in front of the Main Avenue shops should be limited parking up to 3 hours. Plenty of time to shop, have lunch, but not spend the day at the beach.
Where to put the parking? How about revisiting the North End lot. Has interest in that property changed after Sandy? Only need to open the lot from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
I live on Mount Carmel and I can tell you that MANY people come here early and walk right over to Asbury.
Did I know that parking would be a problem when I bought my house? I did not. How would I? Certainly not mentioned by the lovely realtor. Whenever I came on the weekdays, the parking was not a problem.
Why is it that so many of our fellow Grovers are willing to put up with this nonsense? From my perspective, the major problem seems to be Friday and Saturday. So lets just focus on fixing that problem. To Joel’s credit, he has come upon an equitable idea and one I think will work well if we limit one side of each street for residents on Fridays and Saturdays. We pay for a sticker and it only allows parking for residents. If I come home and all the resident spots are taken then yes, I am out of luck, but at least I have shot at getting parking.
And yes, it is we taxpayers that are footing the bill so that people are feeling welcomed here. So I want to know, what are we getting for the higher taxes?
As to our taxes, we pay more taxes for homes valued at lower property values than Belmar or Bradley. Don’t believe me? Think about what you pay for taxes and then go look in those towns and see what the property values are at that rate. My house would be worth at least $150,000 more and closer to the beach.
We have owned a condo in OG for 3 summers. We organize our parking around events going on in the neighborhood and we bike as much as possible. Having a strong tourism keeps the town vibrant. It’s a great problem to have.
If you decide to live in OG you know what you are getting into with the parking situation. At times it is annoying, but it is what it is. I don’t like the idea of putting any restrictions or parking meters in place. Leave it the way it is; that is why our town is so welcoming.
Ocean Grove to park or not to park that is the question: As we all know when Ocean Grove was born, cars were not yet born. The horse’s and carriage’s ,which carried many people, (yes,even then there were many people) into the Grove, were left in one location. The stables, were located on Whitefield Ave, now the Embury Arms condo’s. Where am I going with this? We need to believe in miracles and a bit of magic!
Where can we have a public parking location and a shuttle to move people throughout town? In the 1980’s, The Ocean Grove Belt Line, an old orange bus did just that, (transport people around town;) perhaps someone will remember more details on this.
I am just brain storming OUT LOUD, kind of like an odd Think Tank.
NO parking in Ocean Grove.
Times/circumstances have changed now that Bradley Beach has joined Asbury Park by administering parking meters. Even more vehicles now park in Ocean Grove to avoid these two other towns parking fees and park free here, further inhibiting parking for residents.
To say parking has been reviewed already and nothing can be done is not an answer. Spending more money on experts to survey and review need not be cost prohibitive. Everyone in Ocean Grove is an expert on parking and will gladly muster intelligence to arise to a solution as a democracy FREE! Not everyone will be pleased. But the community as a whole will benefit!
If the Manchester Hotel fire on Ocean Pathway had occurred during summer, there would have been substantially more damage. The density factor of vehicles has become prohibitive endangering administration of public safety, i.e. pedestrians, ambulance, fire engines and police vehicle’s.
MOTOR VEHICLE DENSITY is a major factor of consideration involving any future development of Ocean Grove!
We should all e-mail Mayor Brantley of Neptune Twnsp. (drmbrantley@neptunetownship.org) and ask him to advise us when this will be placed on the agenda, and give citizens time before the meeting for the community of Ocean Grove to use its resources of organizations and web sites to alert the community to turn out and force a solution to be placed as an ordinance!
I like your idea..We should get some preferential treatment as taxpayers
What is the oposition to parking meters? Plenty of other towns have them in and around the business areas, ocean aves, ect, Cape May retains it Victorian charm while still have metered spaces.
I also like the Hoboken plan. Permits for one side of the street, free for all on the other
Gotta: You sure have a talent for reading people’s minds and jumping to conclusions. There was no outrage last time; just opinions on this blog. And that “violent reaction” that you mention was some idiot tossing something at a passing committee person. She was not hurt, just mad. Are you really worried about a “revolt” if parking meters are brought up again? I suggest you hide under your bed and come out when our discussion is over.
@Blogfinger – I can appreciate your comments. But after seeing the sometimes even violent reaction (directed toward a twp. committee person) to the proposal of parking meters last time, I think you might really see a revolt if it were to come up again. Residents were so outspoken & outraged at the proposal that I think they would get very creative and determined at battling the suggestion again. Most residents were just relieved that it all went away. And needless to say, I think the Twp. Engineer & Committee feel they spent enough money/time on assessing the situation the last time it erupted.
Gotta: Your idea of a solution to a vexing problem is not to rehash it every once in a while—just give up or move out. But attitudes and conditions change, plus it is like a traditional Grover sporting event–something to look forward to once a year. And maybe now more people might be willing to consider parking meters for a variety of reasons. Hearing how much money was made in Asbury Park with meters to help defray the costs of police, security, public works, etc. might persuade some to reconsider. And perhaps a truly inventive new idea might emerge.
One advantage of meters on Main is to have a turnover of parking spots there. That ought to be supported by the merchants. The business people in Asbury are, in general,supportive of meters there because it promotes a turnover of spaces for shoppers.
Norm– is it really true that OG pays more taxes to the Township than other areas of the Township? I was under the impression Shark River Hills paid higher taxes.
I have been a proponent of some sort of resident sticker/badge assignment related to parking for a long time. However, I live on the south side of one of the main thoroughfares in town and I don’t want to try to park on the other side where I may end up 2 blocks away from my cottage—-not exactly conducive to bringing the groceries in or the pets in their carriers.
As it is now, we often arrive in town to find a car parked directly in front of our home – a car belonging to no one who is visiting anyone on either side of us and certainly not us! Most of the time it is a beach day-tripper. I’ve watched who gets back into these cars, still in their swimsuits and cover-ups, picnic coolers and all – They paid $16.00 to get on the beach, they did not frequent a restaurant or shop. Surely my tax money supports the town much more than that.
Why not limit the lot near the water to NON-Residents – after all we are a “walking town” and possibly some charge (season only) for southeast side of Broadway where there are no houses, to be used for beach parking. The worst offense is watching a beach day-tripper park their car on Main Ave for the ENTIRE day thereby inhibiting running an errand or two on Main on your way out of town for more home-owner related shopping.
All of the above comments are just a re-hashing of the last debate over parking, and the one before that. It went on and on like this for months. Everyone had an idea. There were banners on houses denouncing parking meters. There was whining from those who think they “deserve” something for paying taxes in OG, yet they knew the problem when they moved here (although it has definitely gotten more crowded!).
There were protests during the 4th of July parade, there were very well good intentioned thought-out suggestions.
Go back in the archives of Township meeting minutes or maybe even Blogfinger archives and you’ll see blogs just like this page. But every idea had a down side. So you may not like it, but it’s simple– there is no solution and there will be no change. Love it or leave it. I think most of us will love it.
Given the great variability of sizes of the buildings in the Grove, it makes no sense to issue one permit to each property. The Aurora or any of the B&Bs would get one permit? If we go to a permit system, we’d need to find a way to auction off the permits, maybe giving each taxpayer a credit equal to some fraction of the property tax.
But truly, the only way the parking situation will improve is to create more spaces. Every street capable of angle parking should have it; a parking garage should be built at the N. end, and (I wish!) someone should find a way to flood-proof a metered underground garage under Ocean Pathway.
The other issue that could be addressed is maximizing the use of the driveways for those lucky folks who have a driveway. Driveways and garages should be used for parking cars, not for storage, and failure to do so should result in loss of the curb cut. I would guess that 90% of the garages in OG are used for storage, not for cars, and the owners only use the driveways for parking when the street parking is gone.
Fast Eddie is on the right track. A few years back that idea was afloat. It would also complement the parking needs of the Art Center. A combination parking garage and commercial facility would have extended up to the Victorian house on the corner of Broadway. A local Township Committee member resisted the idea of utilizing eminent domain to implement it at that time since the committee had “suffered” from using it in mid-town for construction that deleted homes.
A related problem: there is not a major realization by Township Committee members as to how much Ocean Grove contributes to the overall economy of the Township in addition to the higher real estate taxes Ocean Grove homeowners pay as the result of proximity to the ocean.
The Township doesn’t like when we bring up meters, but they can make millions, as Asbury does, with meters, and that would create spaces in season because the free loaders from AP and BB would have no incentive to park in OG. The new meter systems are not ugly because there are only marks on the ground and a few unobtrusive meter machines here and there. A solution could be found to not charge homeowners for those spaces.
One parking permit per resident. Resident parking only between 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, north and west sides of the street. Main Ave business district exempt. This applies only from June 1st to the day after the flea market
This one is a perennial complaint, I suggested we use the space around the old high school including the empty lot along side for a parking garage, good for in- season and parking in winter storms for residents. Shuttle beach goers on trolleys . I like the guaranteed space option as well.
This idea can be implemented without taking down the Arts Center.
Of course some might suggest everyone knew what they were getting into when you buy in a shore town, like buying by the airport for example or local landfill.
Take my tax money and buy everybody in town a Smartcar, it’ll double available parking space overnight!
After experiencing another Saturday parking nightmare, I think it is time for new ideas. How about considering angle parking along the entire length of Main Ave during the summer. It is the same width from the Main St entrance to Ocean Ave. Also, I think additional spaces could be made available if the beginning of one way streets which our now marked yellow for, I was told fire trucks (good luck) are only on one side instead of both.
How about the huge lot on the North End of town. That parcel was a parking lot for years, and now closed to cars. It makes me salivate to see all that parking going to waste as people drive up an down Ocean Avenue looking for parking.
There is a parking issue that I feel really needs to be addressed and can be with minimal impact to the community at large. That is the warehousing of vehicles. A bigger problem than many realize or care about. It isn’t just a seasonal problem along Ocean Ave. My little area in the Mount section has several permanently parked vehicles, generally used for storage, Not only do they prevent year round residents and visitors from finding parking spots during the 10 week season, they interfere and block proper street sweeping and snow removal the rest of the year. During and after snow events some streets are barely passable for pedestrians, let alone cars. If nothing else, at least implement some sort of alternate side of the street parking policy after the 10 week season. Even if it were an every other week or month thing it would be effective.
Not to quibble but there would be net fewer spaces available for visitors if there were assigned spaces for residents since not all property owners keep all of their cars parked in OG at all times. Some residents have jobs outside of OG and spend much of the day at work outside of OG — normal office hours coincide with the peak demand hours for week day beach parking in the summer. Their vacated spaces are filed with beach goers who leave before workers return home in the evening. Also, some property owners don’t spend every day of every week in OG even in the summer. I’d predict that visitor parking would be much much much tighter than it is now, but would also guess that there would be unused resident parking spaces at almost all times.
Other towns are considering changing their parking ordinances as we speak. example. http://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/Cit-e-Access/news/index.cfm?NID=35128&TID=142&jump2=0
Joel T. Scranton, If everyone that reads Blogfinger comments and tells their neighbors, friends to comment, there will be enough comments for Blogfinger to then post a poll. God willing from there it can snowball and be thrown at Neptune Twnsp. Committee to act and write an ordinance to change the parking.
Bradley Beach has joined Asbury Park and added parking meters. So now people are parking in Ocean Grove to avoid paying. So now two towns have sandwiched in Ocean Grove with more cars!
Who does not know someone in Ocean Grove that has complained about the parking. Come on Americans, take back your government by the people.
The realistic approach is to provide more parking spaces to accommodate the 10-week peak season–especially weekends.
In the beginning, they had the equivalent of a large parking garage at the entrance to town—ie a stable. The history books don’t mention parking problems even after the automobile was invented because so many people took the train. The real cause of a huge increase in cars to the Shore was the opening of the Garden State Parkway built beginning in 1947. Parking problems in the Grove probably coincided with the traffic down the GSP which we all can recall during trips to the Shore.
Hippie Chick. I like you because you are a hippie chick. As for your comment, if you rent a house, then you should get the privilege from the owner, at least during the 10 months when you occupy that residence, but you would not be legally entitled to it unless the ordinance so provides. There would be only one placard per property even if there are four rented apartments. But if you own a condo in a building with many condos, then maybe all would get a placard……………? Details could be worked out later.
As far as a renter paying taxes, all advantages that come from paying taxes, such as a tax deduction, belong to the owner who pays the taxes. Of course, an ordinance could provide parking permits for renters
Paulie D. Ocean Grove is vibrant, but not because we have “equal to all” parking. If this plan were implemented, there would be no fewer spaces, because homeowners’ cars will fill the same number of spaces as before.
As far as the patrons who come for shows, again, there will be no fewer spaces for them, just less variety of locations to choose from. The same for the businesses and the restaurants.
I find it curious that you are worried about everybody but the taxpaying homeowners. Shouldn’t they be considered as well instead of totally ignored when it comes to the parking shortage in season? As for me, I use my car everyday, and I always can find a space somewhere, even in season, but a convenience courtesy for those of us who actually live here would seem long overdue.
I like the idea of something along these lines. The refinements already suggested deserve inclusion too, specifically the one suggesting the use of a pass (needs to be laminated) that can be used by the recipient in either of two cars (assuming two in the household), or moved even to the car of a visiting grandparent; AND the idea of marked spaces so people use the available spaces more efficiently.
(The truth is I’ve been giving serious thought to painting some lines for that purpose in front of our house, where people often park awkwardly far from a fire-hydrant, just close enough so nobody can fit behind them, and far enough so there’s not space in front either before the next car.)
I agree with Norm. Let’s’ keep parking open to and equal to all. Ocean Grove is vibrant for a reason. We welcome guests. Yes, parking can be inconvenient at times. A small trade off , and a small price to pay to live in such a wonderful community.
The Great Auditorium has difficulty attracting patrons on a Saturday evening. Making parking less convenient would only serve to discourage individuals considering attending a show. Too, the restaurants would suffer, as well as many of the business. Many choose to spend the day in the Grove culminating with an evening show in the Great Auditorium. Let’s keep Ocean Grave an inviting destination.
I have been renting year round for ten years, I am sure I pay taxes because my rent gets raised due to taxes on the house I live in.so I do agree renters year round should be included.
If we do this, I think there would have to be marked parking spaces. People often park leaving too much space between them and the adjacent cars, with the end result that fewer cars are able to park on the block, leaving fewer than the possible number of spaces for those who qualify.
The Neptune Twp. officials have stated “there will be no more Ocean Grove parking studies.” They have exhausted surveys, and aside from the Chamber stopping advertising and the Camp Mtg. stopping advertising, there will be no change in the crowded parking situation.
It’s basically “love it or leave it.” Even if there were stickers issued, there’s no guarantee you would be able to park any closer to your house than on a crowded weekend. Even adding the spaces on Broadway and turning the tennis lot into a parking lot didn’t help. It just made it more crowded.
You could add 200 more spaces, and still they will come. Because it’s a nice place, the parking is free, and the beach is kept up nicely. No amount of “stickers” or “passes” or “badges” will change the parking in Ocean Grove. The only thing that ever worked was horse and buggies.
I suggest : Folks buying a full season beach badge be given the option to also be able to buy this windshield sticker. Thus OGCMA gets some revenue which hopefully they apply to OG and serious loyal seasonal tourists get some parking help.
If it’s only going to be one per property owner/tenant then instead of sticker it should be a badge or pass you put in windshield . That way if say wifey is at work then hubby can use it, etc.
What about the business owners and apartment dwellers who pay rent, which in
turn contributes to the payment of property tax ?
Are you suggesting that the north and west sides be left as “no parking” zones except for sticker vehicles? Or would you propose leaving just enough spaces to accommodate the number of sticker cars?
What happens if a busy Saturday arrives (like yesterday) and some of those sticker spaces are available (maybe 20% of those cars are out of town). Maybe there should be enough sticker spaces to accommodate half of the total number of stickers?
I like it, but what about Tenters and Cottage owners? How many permits would each house/apt/condo get?
Nutty as a fruit cake. What about our two dozen hotels and b&b’s? What about our extensive cultural and religious programing during those days? And what about our day-trippers who support OG economy?
There are solutions. Practical ones. Government backed ones. That can only be designed, implemented and sustained by a critical coalition of governmental and community-based agencies and organizations.
Editor’s note: It’s about time that something is done to help the home owners with parking problems. This idea provides a modicum of relief during the “season” when parking difficulties are the worst for Grovers. It’s fine to worry about tourists and downtown customers, but other towns do help the tax payers by providing reserved parking solutions.
Let’s comment here and explore this idea. Then, if it seems like there is feasibility, we can do a poll and take it from there.