Thursday, April 26, 2018

City Council acknowledges that city residents own cars and need parking

From the Observer:

Another bill—sponsored by Upper Manhattan Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, chairman of the Council’s Committee on Transportation, as well as Levine and Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer—calls on DOT to establish and implement RPP citywide.

Rodriguez referred to a study conducted by the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU) that found more than 50 percent of New Yorkers surveyed were willing to pay an annual fee for RPP.

“We would like to see a system in place where 80 percent of the area will be reserved to the residents of the local community that we would like to bring the parking system,” Rodriguez said at a rally on Wednesday afternoon. “We also feel that by paying a small fee every year, those local residents, they will not have to compete with anybody else.”

At the Council’s monthly pre-stated meeting on Wednesday afternoon, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said he plans to review the bills with all of the Council members.

“I understand that there are many folks that live in communities across the city who find it very frustrating that they can’t find parking in their neighborhoods,” Johnson said. “We also are trying to disincentivize cars in New York City. We’re trying to get people to use cars less in New York City.”

He said state law empowers the city to enact RPP.

“State law says that municipalities with a population of over one million people are allowed to enact residential parking, and so I believe we do have the authority to do this,” Johnson continued.

New York City is one of the only major cities in the United States that does not have some version of an RPP. Such a system currently exists in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Albany and Buffalo.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...more than 50 percent of New Yorkers surveyed were willing to pay an annual fee for RPP."

Another way to soak the people in the outer boroughs with an additional fee that will keep going up and up.
Idiot democrats in the city council will never pass on an opportunity to tax residents.
Next our democrat governor, who is listing so far to the left that he's giving The Leaning Tower of Pisa a run for it's money, wants to ban plastic bags statewide. Have fun doing the weekly shopping trip with those re-usable canvas bags that are made by slave labor in third world countries, you'll need about a dozen and have to wash them after a use or two.

JohnnyNuts said...

Most of the free parking throughout the city is being occupied by out of state plates(Pennsylvania being a big one). Why not just ban them?, would open up a lot of space for us locals.

Anonymous said...

No shit Sherlock!
Real Einsteins!

Anonymous said...

"a study conducted by the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU) that found more than 50 percent of New Yorkers surveyed were willing to pay an annual fee for RPP."... Willing to pay? Nobody asked me. Getting their hands on more of our money is the only issue here.

Anonymous said...

If they want to restrict a public area available for parking to one specific group they sure as heck should pay more!

I pay taxes, I should be able to park wherever I need to. Limiting me from specific residential areas is discrimination!

Apartheid, alive and well in NYC 2018.

Anonymous said...

"...a study conducted by the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU)...

Two universities located on the island of Manhattan where car ownership is practically zip, zero, nada.

Let Manhattan secede like California is trying.

Anonymous said...

This would be a great way to clear up the way commercial entities pad their bottom lines by using the streets to store their trucks, dodge required parking for their workers, perform car repairs in the street, etc. I say go for it!!!! And create a reduced fee program for people on fixed income/disability.

Anonymous said...

Criminal Bolsheviks doing what they always do-confiscate people's money with their hare brained schemes. What else is new in NYC?

Anonymous said...

In Corona and Jackson heights it's quite common to see plates from Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Some of them are obviously scams and those people want to escape paying high car insurance rates. The NYPD is not doing enough to stop this. I hope this legislation is passed.

Anonymous said...

The system in Albany works well. It's cheap 20 or 30 bucks a year depending on what neighborhood you live in, and your parking is zoned. You can park 8-5 weekdays on residential streets if you live in that zone. If you don't you have 2 hours, no stickers, your license plate is registered to your zone so meter maids just type it in to check.

IT's about time they did this, it would save so much hassle in bayside by the train station for people who actually live in the area.

Crusseau said...

So let me get this straight. The city is going to charge people to park in their own neighborhood. And then theyre supposedly going to enforce the law by ticketing and towing vehicles that disobey these new laws. In the meantime the city cant enforce the current laws with regards to abandoned vehicles and tractor trailers parked on the residential streets now. So who’s to say they’re actually going to enforce these new laws? Basically what they’re doing is a cash grab.

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to see this if it gets the out of state plates off the street. It should be 24x7. The biggest parking issue for most people is probably getting home from work and finding a place to park, even worse if you want to go out to dinner and come back even later. If the permits are only effective 8-5 they will be useless. The spots would be ready for the insurance scammers in the early evening until the morning.

Mike said...


The only way this works well, and doesn't become a hassle, is if you require that the car is registered to an address located in the zone. That way, the plate or NYC sticker is scanned and that's it.

No out of state plates.
No visitor passes.
No special permits that have to go in the window.
No rentals.




Anonymous said...

Brilliant! It makes parking harder and makes the City more unfriendly at the same time! The system is Boston is awful and causes loads of problems, no wonder we're going to copy them.

Anonymous said...

You people realize that the fee for this will just keep going up and up? And if you can afford to pay, you'll be able to find spots in your neighborhood - but you won't be able to find spots when you go visit your friends, so you'll be just as bad up.

>In Corona and Jackson heights it's quite common to see plates from Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia...I hope this legislation is passed.

That's not how it works. Either people who pay will get placards to put in their car, or the parking permit will be tied to a license plate, which means anyone coming to visit you won't be able to park. Either way, it won't stop out of state plates.
---------

The Council Chair says: “We also are trying to disincentivize cars in New York City. We’re trying to get people to use cars less in New York City.”

That's all you need to know. This is being pushed to make driving harder, not easier.

Anonymous said...

I'm all for this if they only give permits to new york state vehicles. There are way to many out of state plates taking up parking.

Unknown said...

This idea is dumb as a mule. So a neighborhood with apartment buildings all have to pay an extra tax? This is all it's about,more revenue for the city. Screw em!

Those out of state plate, you can't do nothing about it. Every state is free to travel in, you can't stop people from coming.

Anonymous said...

Apologies for the triple post, but I went and checked out the NYU study the politicians quote in the article.
While the study itself is hidden behind a paywall, to keep people like us from reading it, the abstract is publicly accessible, and there are huge red flags in just that one paragraph:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X1300139X#

>"A little more than half of respondents (52.5%) are willing to pay for an average $408 per year, even though the revenue is not specified to be return back to the neighborhoods."
>"Pricing becomes more acceptable in neighborhoods where the major parking problem is shortage and crowding caused mainly by local residents instead of parking intrusion by non-residents."

So, this plan that some people are so quick to embrace will cost you an extra $400 per year, per car, just to park in your own neighborhood! And the people who lose out on parking, the people who wont be able to bid as high as everyone else, will be other people living in the neighborhood.

In other words - if this passes, be prepared to pay, and pay, and pay, or be prepared to never be able to park by your own home again.

Anonymous said...

Come on people - we know what will happen. The fees will start to increase until they are few percentage points lower than putting them into a garage.

Anonymous said...

I can see this working for nighttime parking when you get home but I don't think it should be for during business hours. I may understand incorrectly but if I'm going grocery shopping in a different part of the city(where I pay my taxes) I want to be able to park. Good idea but you've giving up more than you'll be getting if it passes.

Anonymous said...

You left out Rhode Island and Mass.

Anonymous said...

They should look into these dollar vans you see all over the place in downtown Jamaica. Very reckless drivers who dont care about the safety of their vehicle. Shame !!

Joe Moretti said...

I think it is a good system, many neighborhoods in cities across the country already do this. BUT and this is a BIG BUT, who is going to enforce this. I mean we all know that NYC does not enforce any kind of fucking laws. Look at the recent story here about the commercial trucks in South Ozone. Go to Jamaica where auto body shop have taken over Merrick Blvd with their junked cars.

Again a good idea, but who will enforce this, that is always the problem here, ENFORCEMENT.

Anonymous said...

dodge required parking for their workers

Since when is parking required for workers?!

Rick D said...

If this is passed, you can expect to see exemptions for NYPD employees' private cars.

Anonymous said...

Yes the out of state plates are committing insurance fraud to save a few bucks, but cracking down on that will not fix the parking problem. Those people will still live here and own cars, they will just pay more like the rest of us. That's fine, but don't think that cracking down will make those residents and their cars disappear.

Anonymous said...

PEOPLE WHO OWN GARAGES AND DRIVEWAYS NEED TO BE TAGGED TO PUT THEIR CARS WHERE THEY BELONG, IN THEIR GARAGE AND DRIVEWAYS. 1. YOUR GARAGE IS NOT ANOTHER INCOME TO RENT OUT LIKE AN APARTMENT. 2. IT IS NOT A STORAGE SPACE. THIS WOULD MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE WHO NEED THE SPACES TO PARK. I APOLOGIZE FOR ALL CAPS, CAN'T SEE SMALL LETTERS.

Anonymous said...

Joe, our meter maids are actually quite good city employees, if you consider how much revenue they generate for what they are paid. The way the system works in Philly is you get a sticker with a prominent number or color that hs to be displayed like your registration. Each block has a sign posting the zone. The enforcement out there is efficient and brital.

Anonymous said...

So now we'll all just have to PAY to drive around at night looking for parking -- people still won't park in their driveways/garages. People will still put cones/garbage cans to save the spot in front of their house

Gary W said...

Doesn't this system only really work if their are many municipal lots available?

Anonymous said...

they keep eliminating parking spots
they're doing whatever transportation alternatives tells them
their stated goal:
"reclaim New York City's streets from the automobile"
we will be a third world shit-hole city real soon

Anonymous said...

That's all you need to know. This is being pushed to make driving harder, not easier.

You know what's making driving harder? More and more people driving.

Joe Moretti said...

Anonymous said...

Joe, our meter maids are actually quite good city employees, if you consider how much revenue they generate for what they are paid. The way the system works in Philly is you get a sticker with a prominent number or color that hs to be displayed like your registration. Each block has a sign posting the zone. The enforcement out there is efficient and brital.

-----------------------

I know how this works, many cities have this BUT they are enforced. THIS is NYC, not Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, etc, where the biggest problem besides leaders who actually know what they are doing and care, is ENFORCEMENT and unless you live in Forest Hills Gardens which has it's own security, NYC enforcement on laws is practically zero when it comes to issues and quality of life issues. So NO, this will not work here because of that fact.

Anonymous said...

Car owners vote Trump. We don't want them here

Anonymous said...

I am one of those homeowners that parks one of my cars in front of my house. I started doing this because after many years of people parking a 1/4 inch away from my driveway making it impossible for me to pull in and out. What set me off is when I tried to explain this to a guy who lives a few houses down from me he got nasty, and he has his own driveway too. So to heck with everyone else!

Anonymous said...

There was a car that was parked in front of my neighbor's house for almost a year I kid you not. It had a out of state plate, I watched a lady get of the bus and walked to the car looked at it open the door and left. Told my neighbor what happened and he took the plate off and the car was towed. People don't even live in the neighbor are using cub parking as there personal parking lot.

M. How said...

In Forest Hills/Rego Park area, most of the parking has been eliminated on Queens Blvd -- taken up by Bike Lanes. In addition, there are very few single-family homes. This area is hi-rise heaven. Also, there is a hospital a block from my hi-rise -- two shifts of workers. It's difficult enough for residents to park. How will those workers find parking?

The City isn't making enough money on water taxes, condo/co-op taxes, opposite side of the street parking tickets, etc., etc.? This is greed at the highest level.

I am a disabled Single Senior and live on a very meager social security pension. I NEED my car for getting around. The car is 20 years old and, like me, it usually needs maintenance and repair. It is not a luxury, it is a safety feature that I really depend on. And it adds to my ability to be independent and to take care of myself.

Rents in this area are so high an apartment should be declared a "dependent". Now the City wants to add another $37.50 a month to our already staggering rents?

And what happens when I visit my relatives and friends in the evening in their neighborhoods? Do I get a ticket? Do I get towed? Do I find a place to park? Do I have to stay home for the rest of my Senior life if I don't have a permit for their neighborhood?

How about charging people to use the Bike Lanes? Why not make it mandatory to have a license for Bicycles? Get $37.50 from them. I have to have a license to use the streets. Why not Bike Riders? Or, better yet, get rid of the Bike Lanes and give us back our parking spaces. People along Woodhaven Blvd. would be grateful, too.

Recently it has been pointed out that our "First Lady" position has been declared a permanent job. Now, isn't that special! But, is this parking boondoggle the way to fund her salary and the salaries for her three secretaries? Bear in mind voters did not vote her and her secretaries in, only her husband, who I might add is grossly overpaid.

This City and it's overpaid and mostly do-nothing politicians is getting absolutely ridiculous. How many more ways are they going to find to put their hands in my pockets?

I am really furious and I will fight this tooth and nail, on principle, anyway I can.
Anyone who wants to join in protesting before this becomes law, get in touch with Queens Crap.

M. How said...

Anonymous said...
"Car owners vote Trump. We don't want them here"

Huh? Are you for real? You can you tell that car owners vote Trump because you are ..... psychic?

If that's how you can tell a Trump voter, please check to see if you're playing with a full deck. Then check to see if the elevator goes all the way to the top.

I really hope you're trying to be funny.

Anonymous said...

It's a difficult situation. On the one hand, as a car owner (who is NOT a Trump supporter btw ), it is EXTREMELY frustrating to me that parking is a nightmare. I live in Astoria where there is alternate side parking 4 DAYS a week! I don't understand that at all, particularly since those street cleaners seem to do nothing except spread stinky sludge all over the street. I should not be penalized for owning a car - I need my car for various reasons. Even if I wanted to garage it there are almost none available anywhere close to where I live and it's an expense I cannot afford. On the other hand, living in a vibrant neighborhood where there are great restaurants and cafes that I want to be successful I recognize that restricting parking where there are no lots will seriously impact these businesses. All that being said, one of the newest challenges is the proliferation of TLC cars parked. Commercial vehicles - any car that is used as a means of business - should not be allowed to park on city streets. I realize it's a "cottage industry" of sorts but there are just SO MANY of them that I notice a significant percentage of parking is taken up thereby displacing the rest of us.

My concern is that the city will come up with an onerous and non-sensical law that will do little to nothing to help the people out for whom the law is intended.

Lastly, the ridiculous comments about Trump lovers and Democrats do nothing to foster true communication and action. Just stop it already. It's nasty and unproductive. Make a point that means something.

OK, more than 2 cents but there you have it.

JQ LLC said...

@M. How.

Thanks for spreading the word about the co-mayor first lady, which I pointed out on my last post. I hope this tidbit gets the attention of Marcia Kramer.

https://impunitycity.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/first-lady-chirlane-mccray-starts-stupid-redundant-and-racist-mental-health-program/

And declaring your apartment a dependent is brilliant and should get mandated into law.

Great points about the necessity of a vehicle, because a lot of these gentry hipshits refuse to get it (these dopes apparently have peter pan syndrome and think they will never hit 50), since now they are now coming to your town to mess it up and Commissioner Trottenberg and Deputy Glen have sabotaged it with the bike lanes and fabricated housing market speculation. And Mayor de Faustio has betrayed it by having his board raise the rents on stabilized apts and is refusing tax relief to homeowners.

Keep hanging on.

Anonymous said...

> I APOLOGIZE FOR ALL CAPS, CAN'T SEE SMALL LETTERS.

To increase the font size in Firefox, press CTRL, CMD (windows or apple key) and +. In Chrome, press CTRL and +. (- if you want to reduce the font size.) If you use another browser, hit up google and search for the keyboard shortcuts. Beats having to strain your eyes every day!

>Anyone who wants to join in protesting before this becomes law, get in touch with Queens Crap.

I'm down. I've seen how difficult and unwelcoming this sort of law has made other places, I don't want it in my City.

>My concern is that the city will come up with an onerous and non-sensical law that will do little to nothing to help the people out for whom the law is intended.

You're looking at it right here.