Ridgewood considers valet system to ease downtown parking problems
JULY 21, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JULY 21, 2014, 2:06 PM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
Ridgewood officials believe they have found a way to free up “potentially hundreds” of parking spaces in the Central Business District (CBD).
A policy is being written that would allow restaurants to valet cars to non-metered lots, providing a benefit for businesses and patrons.
An ordinance for valet parking “supports the public good,” said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.
Under the valet policy, restaurants would pay $250 to apply for a valet permit, and, if approved, would pay $1,000 for an annual operating permit.
The permit application would have to detail such things as insurance, the seating capacity of the business, hours and days of operations, a map of routes to the offsite parking lot, and a copy of the agreement between the business and the owner of the offsite parking location.
The restaurant would also be charged with displaying valet parking signage and would not be allowed to park in any metered spot, and would have to employ a sufficient number of valet parking attendants so that cars do not queue up and block the road.
The village engineer would review the permit application to determine whether the plan is “workable and safe” and possibly consult with the police and fire departments on the plans.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/valet-parking-viewed-as-viable-in-ridgewood-1.1054871#sthash.87uxyRB9.dpuf
Just go all the way and they could come pick me up at home. It would save drunk driving and time.
A more rational solution is actually a trolly system run from one of the abandoned car lots. People could park and take a trolly which would run a loop through town.
Sounds like a good idea, but what happens when these properties are sold?
brian…in what way is that more rational?
Less traffic backing up waiting for valets, less cars driving through the CBD when valets are bringing cars to/from parking lots, no valets running along the sidewalks back to the parking lot.
In addition, a trolly would also help elderly or those who just want a ride to get around downtown. A trolly could also become a nice attraction of sorts. A way to differentiate Ridgewood’s downtown.
It would be horrible and not support the public good.
and the “public good “is?
What Ridgewood needs is ….. a monorail.
Please folks. May I have your attention please?Attention please! I can deal with this trouble, friends, with a wave of my hand, this very hand! Please observe me if you will. I’m Professor Harold Hill, and I’m here to organize the Ridgewood Trolley Plan!
No rickshaws.
The public good is not feeling as if you’re in a big city when you go downtown. Not seeing guys in polo shirts with logos on them running back from parking (and probably getting hit by cars on Franklin Ave.). Not having those guys, who will probably not be from here and unfamiliar with the territory, driving like maniacs up and down that street. Not having to TIP someone after having a pizza or burger. Personally, I will stay away more than be lured by this.
I like the trolley idea.
It would be an attraction and help with the parking situation.
Hello, Parking Garage.
can it be the trolley from mister rogers neighborhood? i liked that trolley…especially the part about how it transported us to the land of make believe
Maybe the County Police can use their new Light Armored Vehicles as commuter buses ?
I do not like waiting for my car with a valet. And then we will need to tip, like the optional tipping at Valley.
I self park whenever possible.
Ridgewood has always been in danger of taking an overly elitist tone. This will push us over the edge. Just another way to gouge our downtown small-business owners (no, I am not one).
Another solution in search of a problem.
Top members of the Chamber of Commerce are running this town. Our Mayor will sell us down the drain just to get support from his base and BIG AL THE DEVELOPERS FRIEND is just as bad.