Residential Street in Forest Hills (Google)
April 25, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
A new bill by a Manhattan Councilmember seeking to create a citywide residential parking permit system was introduced today.
The bill, put forth by Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights), calls for the city to implement residential parking zones with posted times of day and days of the week the system is in effect.
Furthermore, up to 80 percent of parking spaces in a given permit area must be reserved for paying permit holders, with the remaining spaces available for non-residents for up to 90 minutes.
The bill would not allow for residential parking permits on commercial streets.
Rodriguez said in a midday press conference today that the residential parking permit system can help address congestion and encourage mass transit use.
“By paying a small fee every year, those local residents will not have to compete with anybody else that comes from out of state, idling in the street,” Rodriguez said. “We will work to make sure those residents—and our mom and pop stores—will have an opportunity to find parking.”
Rodriguez added that several cities across the United States, including Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago, have already implemented a residential parking permit system.
Rodriguez’s bill is not the only one introduced that seeks a residential parking permit system in the city. A bill also put forth today by Councilmember Mark Levine (D-Morningside Heights) seeks to implement a residential parking permit system for all areas north of 60th Street in Manhattan.
Transportation Alternatives, the non-profit that vouches for a car-free transportation, supports Rodriguez’s bill.
“Making better use of curbside space besides free, unlimited long-term private car storage will dis-incentivize uneceessary driving and reduce congestion,” the group said on Twitter.
In a statement, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), who is co-sponsoring the citywide bill, said he has long been a strong supporter of residential parking permits.
“Local parking should be for local residents, not for commuters on their way from Long Island to Manhattan,” Van Bramer said. “I look forward to working with the sponsors of this legislation to make sure it works for residents of Queens.”
