By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Blogfinger has been asking for permit parking for some time. Our articles can be found by using the search box above. We have posted about 40 articles about parking in the last 5 months. It is a pivotal topic affecting the lifestyles of the residents of Ocean Grove.
The proposed plan would offer permits to residents, including renters, for a small fee. Anyone with a permit sticker would be able to park anywhere, while others would be denied access to one side of certain (?all) streets. We don’t know any more details. This information is from the OGHOA.
There are those who fear that this plan would deny parking for visitors who come into town.
It would be helpful to have some data. If the plan results in many empty spaces, then it will fail. Remember that many resident cars are out of town at various times.
Would the numbers show that there will be a space for every resident car? If that is the goal, it will fail. A plan would have to provide a reasonable number of resident permit spaces, but a number that is less than the number of permit cars.
So sometimes a resident might not find a special space, but having the residents occasionally compete for the permit spaces is still better than what we have now where the residents compete for all spaces on the same playing field as everyone else including the barbarian Asburian invaders.
Ironically, our last poll on this subject revealed that a substantial number of Grovers oppose such a plan—-I have met some of them. Many of them worry that this plan will deprive visitors of parking. Others would not commit because they wanted more details. The Camp Meeting threatened to sue if the Township passes such a plan.
But every Grover currently has to park somewhere. So whether they are parking in a permit space or a non-permit space, the total number of spaces for them should be the same.
Total spaces in town minus total spaces used by residents equals the remaining spaces for visitors, regardless of a permit plan or not. But, under permit parking, those visitors might have to struggle more than residents to find parking, but why worry? It’s about time that residents get some measure of advantage.
And as for the meter dodgers from over the border, Neptune would do well in reconsidering metered parking, especially at the beach area, downtown and at the North End, with a free pass somehow for residents who are forced to park in a metered space.
It would be great if many citizens attended that meeting on Monday, Nov. 27 at the Mother Ship (Municipal Building on Neptune Blvd; Take 33 to Walgreens and turn right after that onto Davis. The giant medical building will be on your left. Turn right into the parking lot. (Note: Davis Avenue was closed on Nov 20. Roadwork.)
ELVIS:
I’m surprised by the amount of concern over parking for visitors. If the permits are implemented, visitors of OG (and BB and AP) may need to search longer or park further. In my opinion, that’s a very minor inconvenience when providing something of value for free.
We should want the parking advantage to lean towards the neighbors and friends within our community, right?
Oh and to add insult to injury, I just got my new tax estimate. The value on my $100,000 dollar home just got jacked up from $459,00 to $549,000 – and we have not done any renovation. No stainless steel appliances. No hardwood floors. no new bathroom. Ugggggggggg
Shelley: We should not be charged for the permit program. Sure it is only for OG and not the rest of Neptune, but do the Neptuners get charged when they get sidewalk and curb replacements while we do not?
And do they get charged for park maintenance when Neptune is spared the expense of the parks that the CMA takes care of?
Making things a little easier for OG residents should not come with a fee. How about all the extra police expenses because Neptune is a crime zone, and our citizens require a lot less policing? Shouldn’t the Neptuners be charged a fee for the extra security?
It is nonsense to charge us for this permit program; and, by the way, HOA, how much will it cost and who will be eligible to by a permit?
I personally have no confidence that permits will do much to help.
I also view that as a resident I will be forced into paying Neptune some unknown fee for parking permits in addition to the five digit taxes I already pay if I want the ability to park on either side of the street.
Curmudgeon: Here is a link to our post regarding the threatened lawsuit; the comments are quite extensive and interesting.
https://blogfinger.net/2017/08/18/ocean-grove-camp-meeting-association-weighs-in-on-permit-parking-and-threatens-a-law-suit-over-the-issue/
It’s a start. I am amazed that the Township is actually going to do something, which is better than nothing even if not totally effective. Perhaps it will provide a base that can be improved upon with experience. Didn’t the CMA threaten a lawsuit over permit parking? Bring it on.
Why not introduce metered parking in OG significantly above AP rates but also sell, for $50 -$100, annual permits to OG homeowners at 2 per house. Neptune earns $ and AP parkers would opt to look for space in AP.