When North Bergen officials saw two years ago that out-of-town commuters were parking their cars in the residential areas of the township, then heading to work in Manhattan and cutting down on the number of available spaces for actual residents, they realized something had to be done.
The result was the Parking Authority’s Resident Permit Parking Program, which called for two-hour time limits on out-of-town parkers, but enabled residents to remain on the street, provided that their vehicles were equipped with the necessary decal identifying them as residents.
The program has turned out to be such a success that the Parking Authority’s Board of Directors has decided to renew it for another two years.
According to Parking Authority Director Joseph Muniz, the program will remain in place from Jan. 1, 2003 through Dec. 31, 2004.
“It really worked out well,” Muniz said. “We saw a drastic reduction of out-of-town vehicles in the restricted areas and we were able to provide adequate parking for our residents. There are a lot more available parking spaces now, especially around Boulevard East, where there once were none.”
Because the program is being renewed, residents are asked to purchase the new two-year decals at the Parking Authority office on Bergenline Avenue for a $10 administrative fee.
The same regulations will apply in the following areas:
From 71st through 79th streets, east of Bergenline Avenue to Boulevard East
The Woodcliff section of the town, north of North Hudson Braddock Park
From 50th through 54th streets, between Kennedy Boulevard and Tonnelle Avenue (State Highway routes 1 & 9)
From 40th through 49th streets, between Tonnelle and Dell avenues
Muniz said that the Parking Authority is also exploring the possibility of expanding the program to other areas of the town.
“The feedback from the residents has all been positive,” Muniz said. “If there is a need, we will expand the program.”
Because of the new issuance of resident parking permits, the Parking Authority has also extended office hours on Monday evenings until 7 p.m. The offices will remain open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays.
“Not only will be selling and issuing permits, but we received inquiries from people who might have questions and concerns and would want help in person,” Muniz said. “Keeping the office open Monday nights will enable people to come in who never had a chance before.”
Added Muniz, “On behalf of the Parking Authority, I would like to thank Mayor [Nicholas] Sacco and the Board of Commissioners for their help and support in making the program become so successful.”
The Parking Authority also announced that they will remove any metered parking restrictions from Dec. 16 through Dec. 25 in the town to allow people to do holiday shopping along Bergenline Avenue and Broadway.
“We will place holiday greeting bags over the meters, as we’ve done for the last two years,” Muniz said. “This enables free parking for the holiday shoppers and it’s our way of saying ‘happy holidays.’ All parking meters in the town will have the holiday greeting bags over them during that time.”