Parking - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 13, 2015 June 27, 2021

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli will lead a CBD Panel Discussion on Parking on March 18th

file photo by Boyd Loving

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli will lead a CBD Panel Discussion on Parking on March 18th

Forum No. 5 – CBD Panel Discussions – March 18, 2015 at 7:30PM

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli has scheduled a CBD Panel Discussion for March 18, 2015 from 7:30PM to 9:00PM; with an “open mike” from 7:30 to 8:00PM. It will be held at Christ Episcopal Church located at the corner of Franklin venue and Cottage Place. The discussion will focus on Parking with a panel comprised of Paul Vagianos, Charles Demarco, Janet Fricke and Paul Aronsohn.

Village Council and Village Board Meetings

03/17/157:30PMPlanning Board Public Meeting
03/24/157:30PMBoard of Adjustment Work Session
03/25/157:30PMVillage Council Public Work Session
03/31/157:30PMBoard of Adjustment Public Meeting

Posted on March 13, 2015 March 13, 2015

Village Council formally approved the use of Smartphones as a means of paying for parking

Village Council formally approved the use of Smartphones as a means of paying for parking

Ridgewood allows use of phones to pay for parking

MARCH 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Depending on your technological prowess, paying for parking in the village is about to get either a whole lot easier or much more complicated.

The council formally approved this week an amendment to Ridgewood’s code to include smartphones as a means for paying for time at parking meters downtown.

Ridgewood officials have been mulling a possible contract with Atlanta’s Parkmobile for weeks. Users of the company’s app can pay for spaces with their phones.

Village officials are still in negotiations with Parkmobile, but say that if all goes well, the system could be in place by May.

Officials said stickers with Parkmobile’s information would be affixed to each meter. They will still accept quarters.

The app is already in use in Glen Rock, Fair Lawn and Newark, and links directly to a credit card, debit card or PayPal account.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/counciloks-use-of-phones-at-meters-1.1288381

Posted on February 19, 2015 June 27, 2021

Readers Voice Concern over Smartphone Parking Pay Scheme

Readers Voice Concern over Smartphone Parking Pay Scheme

Village Manager has said it was her goal to eliminate all coin-operated parking meters in the CBD, as is now the case on Chestnut St. and soon will be at the Short Line Park & Ride, claiming they are too hard to repair because parts are not available. PUH-LEEZE. What about the countless communities nationwide that would never consider instituting smartphone payment? It is MUCH too soon to call smartphones the default and “allow” others to pay (including that extra 35-cent fee–who’s going to reap THOSE millions? Tom Rica?) via credit card through other types of cellphone–still paying the extra fee. No way. I also love the presumption that there is no such thing as credit card fraud. Yeah, it’s all super-safe. I am looking forward to all the problems and complaints.

NOTE COIN SLOT in photo. Why can’t we have both? I quite literally will never pay an extra 35 cents for the privilege of parking. I won’t shop at any store here or do anything else except when I can park at Vill. Hall/library/Graydon etc. Absolutely furious and disgusted. And if the council does not understand how many people from both Ridgewood and elsewhere will be permanently turned off, they are dreaming.

and others ….

I hardly ever use my credit/debit card.

I think it is morally wrong to require someone to have an electronic phone in order to park at a public transportation venue at Park & Ride. It goes against my sense of right and wrong. The town was repaid for its loss with insurance, so they can purchase a kiosk. And even if they can’t afford a kiosk , they then should leave parking meters as is.

Furthermore Mayor Aronshon talks about access for all, creating a caring community. Parkmobile contradicts his words. It potentially cuts people out of public transportation. For shame. Talk about hypocrisy. And really hurting people. Also, I don’t know about others and the town govt. but I have to budget very carefully. An extra 35 cents for parking has to come from somewhere.

It’s just morally wrong.

Posted on February 18, 2015 February 18, 2015

Ridgewood moving ahead with pay-by-phone parking option

Washington DC phone pay

Ridgewood moving ahead with pay-by-phone parking option

FEBRUARY 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015, 10:05 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The first wave of new parking ordinances designed to help downtown Ridgewood was introduced at the Village Council’s public meeting on Feb. 11.

An ordinance establishing regulations for paying parking meters through a wireless cellular provider, as well as the fees associated with using cell phone technology, is scheduled for adoption on March 11.

The council also passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with Parkmobile USA for a pay-by-phone parking system to be installed in various locations across the village.

One resident, Diane Palacios, said she is very cautious with her credit card and would not feel comfortable using it in conjunction with Parkmobile, especially at the Route 17 Park & Ride, which she said she occasionally uses.

Palacios suggested that kiosks, which can accept both cash and credit cards, be installed at the Park & Ride instead of going completely wireless to alleviate concerns with seniors who may not be comfortable with using their cell phone to pay for parking.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/ridgewood-council-moves-ahead-with-plans-1.1272742

Posted on February 17, 2015 February 16, 2015

Downtown employees offer input on Ridgewood parking changes

Downtown employees offer input on Ridgewood parking changes

February 16, 2015 Last updated: Monday, February 16, 2015, 9:52 AM
By Mark Krulish
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News

With the Village Council currently considering changes to parking ordinances, the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce held a forum on Monday, Feb. 9 for its members and fellow business owners to share their thoughts and concerns on the parking situation in the Central Business District (CBD).

Among the topics addressed by the 40-50 business owners, employees and residents in attendance were the three-hour limit on parking meters, the cost and inconvenience for part-time employees to park, and the need for parking garages to be built downtown.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn and Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld joined Chamber of Commerce President Paul Vagianos to answer questions from the audience.

Many owners in particular are struggling with three-hour parking limits being imposed on meters throughout the village, which they say has had a negative effect on both their customers and part-time employees.

“I think of Ridgewood as more of an experience,” said Jack Panico, president and CEO of Panico Hair Salon. “They’re coming here to get their hair done, they want to go eat and they want to go shop.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/downtown-workers-offer-input-on-parking-changes-1.1272353

Posted on February 8, 2015 June 27, 2021

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Parking Meeting – Feb. 9

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Parking Meeting – Feb. 9

PARKING MEETING RE-SCHEDULED
MONDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2015
ROOTS – 6PM
Chestnut Street
We are glad that everyone is safe.
Hope to see you at ROOTS 2/9/15 @ 6pm
The Mayor and Village Manager
will be attending to answer questions.

Posted on February 7, 2015 February 6, 2015

Ridgewood adjusts parking rates, plans to create spaces

Ridgewood adjusts parking rates, plans to create spaces

FEBRUARY 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — In its effort to improve parking downtown, the council has adjusted prices for some parking permits and expanded spaces in the village.

Part-time employees working at Ridgewood businesses will soon be able to purchase an annual permit for $25 allowing them access to the lot on Cottage Place. Motorists with these permits will still need to feed the meters or use a mobile app in the future to pay for time, though they can repeat park for up to six hours or buy an all-day pass for $7, officials said.

No change was made to the permits for full-time employees, which still cost $80 a month and permit all-day parking.

A vote is set for next week on a resolution to partner with Atlanta-based Parkmobile, the makers of a smartphone app that allows motorists to pay for parking with credit cards.

In addition, those with resident stickers, which can be obtained for free, can also buy same-day passes for $10 using Parkmobile. Non-residents interested in day passes will be charged $20.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-adjusts-rates-for-parking-1.1266048

Posted on February 6, 2015 June 27, 2021

Village Engineer’s Office Proposes 16 Additional Spaces in the CBD

Village Engineer’s Office Proposes 16 Additional Spaces in the CBD
February 6,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,According to a Village Engineer’s office flyer that was distributed to Village Council members at Wednesday night’s meeting.16 additional CBD parking spaces could be created with minimal disruption.

EASTBQUND FRANKLIN AVENUE; South curb between Walnut and Cottage Streets. REMOVE “No Parking”~ADD 7 SPACES. (Same concept as in front of B.O.E. where metered parking already exists).

EAST RIDGEWOOD AVENUE: South curb at traffic light with North Maple Avenue. Reduce bus stop to 60 feet (conform to NJ Transit standard for near-side stop). ADD 2 SPACES.

HUDSON STREET: Add a parking box and ONE parking space.

GODWIN AVENUE: South curb. East of Pomander Walk around strip mall. ADD 3 SPACES

EAST RIDGEWOOD AVENUE: ADD ONE space in front of It’s Greek to Me.

NORTH BROAD STREET; ADD 2 SPACES. Taxi company can park north of the building.

Some readers note : If I recall correctly, the spaces along Franklin Avenue across from the Stop & Shop were previously proposed and ruled out due to safety concerns associated with the number of active driveways along that side of the street.

With respect to the proposed spot in front of It’s Greek to Me, how will a passenger(s) be discharged with those flower boxes sitting there?

Is NJ Transit okay with reducing the length of the bus stop in front of Arthur Groom/Ridgewood Running Company?

Godwin Avenue & Hudson Street – Will the line of sight distance be dangerously reduced for drivers pulling out of the adjacent parking lots?

Has the taxi company been informed about the proposed reduction in their on street parking?

Posted on February 4, 2015 February 4, 2015

Ridgewood parking there is an app for that

Ridgewood parking there is an app for that

FEBRUARY 3, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015, 10:52 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

With coin meters becoming obsolete, Ridgewood may soon implement “cutting-edge” technology that lets users pay with their phone to park.

The council last Wednesday discussed three parking proposals, but ultimately expressed support for piloting an option that would require no capital investment for the village except for minor signage costs: Parkmobile, a smartphone app that will let people pay by phone and remotely extend their parking time.

If a resolution to award a contract to Parkmobile is approved at the next council meeting, then some concurrent ordinances would also need to be passed, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.

It would then take several weeks to get the pilot going, starting in the lots only, in the first phase of implementation.

“It’s at least a six week to eight week implementation time frame,” Sonenfeld said last Thursday, noting that the efforts are very “preliminary.” “If we can get it done faster, we will obviously.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/ridgewood-mulls-pay-by-phone-parking-app-1.1263551

Posted on January 16, 2015 January 18, 2015

Ridgewood receives feedback on parking changes

Ridgewood receives feedback on parking changes

January 16, 2015 Last updated: Friday, January 16, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Laura Herzog
STAFF WRITER |
The Ridgewood News

In a Jan. 9 letter to The Ridgewood News, Valerie Groom, owner of Ridgewood’s European Day Spa, addressed the impact of recent parking changes on the Central Business District’s (CBD) part-time employees.

She said that Ridgewood has “missed the mark.”

“I see all sides of this having been a resident of Ridgewood for 30-plus years and a merchant for 26 years. Unless the intention of the village is to penalize and ticket the workers that staff our businesses, I’m going to call the changes another failure to meet the needs of downtown Ridgewood,” she concluded.

Her letter was in response to sweeping new parking changes that went into effect in the new year, as a result of a unanimous council vote.

All 12-hour meters in the lots were recalibrated to three-hour meters, in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cost was doubled, from one to two quarters an hour.

The intent is to open up spots for shoppers that were previously taken up by employees and commuters (whose parking has also been somewhat reformed, and prices increased).

This has been accomplished: In the past few weeks, spots have been available the North Walnut and Hudson lots, which used to be crowded by 9 a.m.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-receives-feedback-on-changes-1.1196376