Permit Parking in Prospect Heights?

arches

Noticed this over on the Park Slope board. Seems that we'll have to opt in to permit parking as a neighborhood. I support the idea (as they've structured it) but just wondered how others were thinking...

"Under the program, residents with a permit displayed on their vehicle will be able to park in an RPP designated space all day. For instance, cars without a permit for a particular zone will not be able to park in RPP spaces during a set 90-minute time period (e.g. 10-11:30 a.m.) each day. In this instance, RPP spaces could be restricted to one side of the street to provide some parking for visitors during the 90-minute RPP time period. The timing of this 90-minute period could be adjusted depending on neighborhood characteristics, but these 90-minute periods would restrict out-of-neighborhood cars from parking for long periods of time. Visitors coming to the neighborhood to shop, use neighborhood services or conduct other business will only be restricted from the RPP spaces during the 90-minute period, but will have access to more spaces at other times of the day. DOT will issue annual permits to residents who are able to show proof of vehicle registration at an address within the permit area.

Under the proposed bill, beginning in the fall of 2008, residents can petition for the establishment of an RPP zone in their neighborhood by submitting a request to their Community Board on a form that will be available on the DOT web-site. (emphasis added) The Community Board will then be required to hold a public meeting. The Community Board's approved plan will be submitted to the Borough President and the local City Councilmember, who will both be required to approve the plan before it is implemented. "

jeffrey

It occurred to me the other day that Flatbush Avenue *inside* the park (between GAP and Empire/PLG) is already used somewhat for daily parking, perhaps by folks who live deeper out in other neighborhoods and then hop the subway the rest of the way.

That will always be a major artery anyway (parking or not), so it occurs to me that perhaps this should be more actively promoted (with signs etc.) as parking for out-of-neighborhood types, as available parking to be more fully utilized instead of in neighborhoods where residents and momentary shoppers already crowd the streets.

Especially if neighborhood zone permits come.

Eh, just a thought, anyway.

vanilla

how will permits be distributed?

issues may not be resolved if people just give the permits to friends to use when, as mentioned above, people are driving in from other neighborhoods to do daily drive-to-the-subway parking.

arches

vanilla wrote: how will permits be distributed?

issues may not be resolved if people just give the permits to friends to use when, as mentioned above, people are driving in from other neighborhoods to do daily drive-to-the-subway parking.

Can't say for sure, but it sounds to me like you'll need to show a vehicle registered at an address within the neighborhood to qualify for a permit...so if you got one for a friend, your car wouldn't have one.

There's always the issue of fake permits too...maybe they'll have a mike bloomberg hologram or something!

homeowner

I'd be for it if permits are limited to cars registered in NYS. Look on any block and you'll find five or six cars registered in NJ, PA, NH, VT, FL etc. If folks can't afford NY insurance rates then they shouldn't be driving in the city.

vagabond

Subject: Not in favor

Less is more. Usually these schemes involve paying a "small" fee for the parking tag every year and getting tickets if your tag expires. I already get a parking ticket reminder every year to have my car inspected. I don't need one of these reminders as well... Another reason for the city to issue parking tickets.

I lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans for a couple of years and this made sense there. Residents would have never been able to find a parking space with the thousands of tourists taking the spaces, but in PH? I don't see a reason for it. The out of state cars probably belong to residents who are new and haven't switched the plates. I don't think it would create more parking spaces, these people would simply pay the fees to switch the registration.

If or when this new stadium gets built, I may reconsider the cost/benefit.

sweet tea

as far as the guest question: how it worked in chicago was that residents got a window sticker every year and could also buy packs of paper one-time use permits (for a nominal fee, like $2 for 15, and i think only so many at a time, so that resale didn't become a business). you had to write the date on them, so that they could only be used once. also, they were a bright color (different every year) that faded quickly in the sun.

as far as out of state plates -- why should you be able to live, drive, and park here full time while paying lower taxes someplace else? i don't have a car here, but if i did, that would really irritate me.

i think the 90 minute permit-only window is rather clever. i hadn't heard of a scheme like that before.

doublediamond

I'm not a fan of this because I avoid parking here in PH because of the alternate side street parking. Park Slope cleans streets only two days a week while around here, it's four times a week.

It would really suck for me to have to park in my neighborhood, with all that moving around. I just don't have the time to do that. I rather walk down a few blocks and park my car.

guvna

Subject: Re: Not in favor

vagabond wrote: Less is more. Usually these schemes involve paying a "small" fee for the parking tag every year and getting tickets if your tag expires. I already get a parking ticket reminder every year to have my car inspected. I don't need one of these reminders as well... Another reason for the city to issue parking tickets.

I lived in the French Quarter in New Orleans for a couple of years and this made sense there. Residents would have never been able to find a parking space with the thousands of tourists taking the spaces, but in PH? I don't see a reason for it. The out of state cars probably belong to residents who are new and haven't switched the plates. I don't think it would create more parking spaces, these people would simply pay the fees to switch the registration.

If or when this new stadium gets built, I may reconsider the cost/benefit.

the cost benefit will come into view long before any stadium goes up. If the congestion plan goes into effect, it is believed that certain nabes close to the subways will become de facto commuter parking lots as people from other nabes leave their cars there and hop the train.

I have mixed views on it myself, probably because I havent read all of the proposals. But, I undertand the importance of discussion these permits in light of the Mayor's intent to push congestion pricing through.

vagabond

I don't think that congestion pricing will really be an issue here because our alternate side street parking rules SUCK. The commuter who drives in from LI and attempts to park in PH is not going to find a spot on the right side of the street at 7AM, GUARANTEED! It would be cheaper for them to pay the 8 bucks than a $45 parking ticket or $18 for a garage.

Also, of the people who currently drive into Manhattan, only 5% live in the outer boroughs. The very vast majority are from other counties and states. They drive in, clog our streets and dirty our air then go back to their pristine green towns in Connecticut or Westchester. I am for congestion pricing but not resident parking permits.

I also park in the Slope when I leave town for a week or more to avoid getting 2 tickets per week. I hope they don't adopt these rules.