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Message |
    
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 162
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 8:09 am: | 
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We can't let this happen.
The parking authority, with all its wisdom, has decided that the 10 commuter meters in lot 6 (across SO Ave. from the Reservoir restaurant)"aren't working out for the businesses in the area" and will convert them to 2-hour meter beginning Monday.
OK. So in a town that's strapped for commuter parking, that has a 2-year wait for commuter permits, you're going to take away commuter spots. Spots that are filled every day with commuters.
This makes absolutely no sense. For those of us who get up early to catch the 7:06, those spots are a God-send. Now they're going away. So you'll have 10 more people fighting for spots in the other lots each day.
Where's the logic here? |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 203
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 9:02 am: |
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what's the 'logic?' m-o-n-e-y! and you hit the nail on the head when you said the spots 'aren't working for businesses...' the authority might be thinking why should those spots be used by people who will be in the city all day when they could be used by people spending money in the stores. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1097
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 9:36 am: |
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Yossarian: The village has added many commuter spots over the past ten years. I suggested to the Parking Authority that the village would be better served by having more spaces available for businesses and moving the commuter meters elsewhere.
We all want to see a succesful downtown and therefore it is important to have parking available for those businesses.
S. Orange has far more commuter spots than almost every town on the train line. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 163
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:18 am: |
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Mark --
I would love to see SO downtown be successful. But let's be serious here. Will the downtown be better off because those 10 spots are available. Those spots aren't going to fill the empty storefronts. They aren't going to get the new market built, or SOPAC. They aren't going to get a building up in the space the abutts the pool.
It's not fair to compare the number of spots available in SO to what's available in other towns. It's just not germane to the discussion.
We are here, not there. And we have those spots now. Taking them away only hurts the overall parking crush.
The bottom line is that you are taking away spots that are serving a great function at the moment. For what? So people can run in and pick up Chinese food or a scented candle?
I don't mean to demean those businesses, but truth be told, that section of town isn't leading any economic redevelopment. Keep the spots until they are needed, and until then let us park there.
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Who?
Citizen
Username: Deadwhitemale
Post Number: 705
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:26 am: |
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downtown might become successful if it did not look like Dresden, 1945.
oops, a strip of shops on a small slice of Sloane street excepted.
DWM |
M. Scott
Citizen
Username: Villageidiot
Post Number: 78
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:30 am: |
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Why don't you just park anywhere you like...It works for SHU students, and at 9-12 dollars a ticket...you still make out in the long run vs. a full price parking pass. If the tickets had some bite then maybe more people would follow the parking regs.
Do like some commuters, park on the residential streets like Kingsland or Rynda that do not have timed limit parking or signs posted, you can't enforce parking regs. unless their signed.
The parking authority (if you ask them) will tell you they only enforce permit parking, time limits, and meters.
TAKE THE TRAIN FROM ORANGE STATION...SURE YOUR CAR MAY NOT BE THERE WHEN YOU RETURN, BUT ITS A LITTLE CHEAPER, AND THERE ARE USUALLY SPOTS AT THAT HOUR. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:37 am: |
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Yossarian: Three of the storeowners were very specific that there businesses have suffered because of parking (Resevoir, barbershop and cleaners). The seafood market is planning to open later this month and that will only add to the parking concerns. Those spaces were originally for shoppers and the Parking Authority did not think there would be a negative impact if "only" 10 spots were changed to commuter spots.
It is fair to compare to other towns because there are many commuters from other towns who look to park in S. Orange. To be quite blunt, we want shoppers from any where, and commuters only from S. Orange. For now you could park in the shop-rite lot.
It is never going to be possible to provide a commuter spot for every resident in S. Orange. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 502
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:52 am: |
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As a commuter I feel for the loss of parking spaces.
But as a resident/ shopper - parking to pick up chinese food, to eat at bunnys -- is just a bear! I do believe lack of parking is a disincentive to shopping in the village -- all over the village.
To me this decision feels right (ok, I am one of those who does have a parking permit...)
Pete |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 164
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:54 am: |
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Mark --
I could park in the shop rite lot. OK. Lower the price to $3 then. Otherwise I feel bamboozled.
As for the Seafood market, I was planning to stop by there on my way to lot 6 at least one or two evenings a week to pick up a few filets to toss on the grill. If I'm not walking by there, I'm not stopping by. I'd be a drop in the bucket, I know, but there are two sides to the coin. Just something to think about.
Also, why not strike a compromise? Keep 5 spots for commuters, and push us to the back corner of the lot. The barber shop, restaurants and cleaners aren't going to go under becuase of those five spots.
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 165
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:56 am: |
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Pete --
It's too easy to take your point of view if you have a permit. I'm still more than 350 spots on the list away.
BTW, I've never had a problem parking for Bunny's. There always seems to be spots on SO ave around dinner time on weeknights. Maybe I've just been lucky.
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M. Scott
Citizen
Username: Villageidiot
Post Number: 81
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:58 am: |
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What about 15-20 minute spaces outside of certain businesses...I suggested this in front of 319 SO Ave. (where there are three restaurants, without seating). |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 100
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:47 pm: |
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Mark,
If "we want shoppers from any where, and commuters only from S. Orange" why did we let Transit acquire Sickley's and build the lot behind Bunny's?
This lot accomodates commuters from anywhere. If S.O. owned it we could of had 350 spots just for us.
Now we have to put a competitive bid in to NJT just to have the SOPA run the lot.
What was the logic?
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e roberts
Citizen
Username: Wnwd00
Post Number: 33
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 1:14 pm: |
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I agree with you Dan. we have commuters coming from everywhere to use the SO train station. They park here, and cause major congestion on our streets several times a day.
from what i see they are the problem. people coming from west orange, maplewood and other surrounding areas everyday to park in SO and take the train. They buy nothing in town and use SO as a parking lot.
the train is a great thing and i love the midtown direct service however if it turns SO into total gridlock at the cause of nonresidents who add nothing to the town i dont know if it is the best. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1099
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 1:33 pm: |
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Dan: I was NOT on the board when that took place.
The logic was this way someone else could pay for a parking lot (it was almost $3,000,000) that was free for residents to use evenings and weekends and particularly for SOPAC.
By the way, the ten spots are being changed from 12 hour meters to two hour meters. We do not know if those spaces were being used by residents or not. I do know the local businesses need more parking spaces.
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 166
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:20 pm: |
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Mark --
Who actually makes this decision? And what information do they base it on? Is it just anecdotal evidence from the three store owners you mentioned earlier? Because I do know that we need more parking spaces for commuters, just like you know we need more for businesses.
Maybe I'm assuming here, but it seems to me that this was a rather quick decision. I'd hate to have three stores making a decision for the town.
Also, what about my idea of a compromise. Can't we keep five of those spots. I can tell you that I'll be in one everyday, and you know I'm a SO resident. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:35 pm: |
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Yossarian:
The parking authority makes the decision.
When the ten spots were turned into commuter spots without consulting the businesses. It was done because daily spots were lost in the NJ Transit Lot due to construction. This was meant to help solve that problem. The issue here is that the change created another problem. Those businesses do count on those spaces and in my opinion it was not fair to them.
I suggest you come to the parking authority meeting on March 30th at 7:45 p.m. in village hall(originally scheduled for tonight, but I was just notified that it has been cancelled). There are a couple of other ideas I have that might represent a compromise.
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M. Scott
Citizen
Username: Villageidiot
Post Number: 84
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 5:27 pm: |
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I recently inquired regarding the parking authority when i renewed my permit why they don't confirm documents about vehicles. I was told that the parking authority issues permits, without confirming vehicle information or registration information, because its only necessary to show residency. SHOULDN'T THE VEHICLE SHOW ITS RESIDENCY??? So the parking authority will give anybody who has a utility bill a permit, but doesn't confirm the vehicle is properly registered to that address.
My concern is the number of students and tenants who's cars do not hold NJ plates or like my nieghbors who bragg about paying South Jersey insurance rates on a vehicle housed in Essex County. Regardless of your temporary address, or who owns the vechile...MVC requires the vehicle be registered and insured where its housed, You wonder why your insurance rates are so high living in this town, its because half the town is scamming. |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 205
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 6:46 pm: |
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mscott
if you know someone committing insurance fruad turn them in! |
M. Scott
Citizen
Username: Villageidiot
Post Number: 85
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 8:09 pm: |
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to who???? |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 95
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 11:02 pm: |
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M. Scott--from a few posts up the chain, PLEASE do not encourage anyone to park on Kingsland and Rynda or similarly "unsigned" streets as an alternative.
Those of us who live on those streets didn't sign on for commuters parking on our block. Its already taken all the self-restraint I possess to not post a nasty note on the one or two cars that already do so (but only started doing so in the past few months). Should more people follow their lead I will be forced to go to the town to get them to place permit only/no parking signs and Lord only knows what a fuss that would cause. The unfortunate reality here is that there are more commuters than convenient parking--I don't have any solutions, but I do have an interest in maintaining the quality of life on my quiet residential block. Best of luck to each and every one of you who needs to find daily parking. It is true that as a resident of one of these streets I am fortunate enough to be able to take a 7-8 minute walk to the train, but I paid a hefty premium for my house for that privilege and for the added bonus that unlike similarly situated streets here in town and esp. in Maplewood, there aren't hordes of daily street parkers.
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M. Scott
Citizen
Username: Villageidiot
Post Number: 87
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 7:53 am: |
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that was more sarcastic then an actual suggestion. I think its sad that people put more effort in to locate a way to skim over the rules by locating parking that isn't signed properly then to just buy a space, or use another station.
The town needs to get on the signage problem on all streets all of the handicapped signes are old or not even displayed(thats the scam now because of the construction at the transit lot...I saw one woman boosting on the platform that her husband a newark cop said because the sign isn't in front of the space, she can park there and not worry about paying "NO TICKET"...all of the parking signs seem to be thirty years old and un readable...SOUTH ORANGE AVE still displays no parking rules during the afternoon...Who can remember the last time that was ever enforced.
A number of street signs face the wrong way...you would think a DPW truck driving around would take notice and just turn the pole so the signs face the proper streets.
Government service = lazyness |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 167
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 8:25 am: |
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Mark --
What's on the agenda for the meeting on the 30th? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1101
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 9:18 am: |
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Yossarian: I don't know the agenda, but anyone from the public can speak. You can contact the exec director (Mark Hartwyk) and ask him to put it on the agenda (his email and phone number are on the village website - www.southorange.org).
I am the trustee liason to the parking authority and don't have a vote in any of their decisions.
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just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 211
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 9:37 am: |
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mscott-
dmv or the govenor's office. every so often 101.5 radio station has a phone number to turn in people comitting insurance fraud. people like this coast the rest of us money. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 168
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 11:32 am: |
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mscott --
Here's the toll free number to report insurance fraud in New Jersey:
1-877-55-FRAUD
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