Ridgewood August 26, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Parking ordinance to be discussed September 9 by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council expects to fine-tune a parking ordinance at the special public meeting of Sept. 9 so commuters many not have to rush to commuter lots early and plunk endless quarters into parking meters. Council members were sympathetic to complaints that endlessly feeding quarters into all-day parking meters was a waste of time and effort, but they were somewhat less sympathetic to complaints that Ridgewood all-day parking was overpriced compared with some nearby towns, notably Fair Lawn. “We’re all prepared to be fair and reasonable, but when we’re putting in $1,500 a year and two towns down the track they’re putting in $140 a year, that doesn’t seem to be fair and reasonable,” said Tom Scott, a resident and commuter. Ed Sullivan, downtown Ridgewood landlord, also asked if something could be done about the way the fees for allday parking are collected. Feeding eight dollars worth of quarters into a meter, he said, seemed inconvenient, and he believes buying tickets or stickers would be more reasonable. The new ordinance, as introduced, would provide for 12-hour parking on the entire lot on Cottage Place between Franklin Avenue and East Ridgewood Avenue Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., with 30 two-hour spaces at the Cottage Place Annex. The ordinance would provide 37 12-hour spaces at the Hudson Street lot, the former fire station, 112 12-hour spaces at the train station between Garber Square and the railroad bed, and additional 12-hour spaces on the corner of Franklin Avenue and North Walnut Street, and at the park and ride lot on Route 17 from Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. At the Chestnut Street lot, 44 spaces would be designated for four-hour parking and 25 spaces would be designated for 12-hour parking. Parking in increments of three hours would be designated at the Hudson Street lot near South Broad Street, with 35 spaces, at Van Neste Square and Prospect Street, and at North Walnut Street. The revised parking ordinance is an attempt to provide adequate parking for commuters, diners, and shoppers and to make the parking meter revenue component of the Ridgewood budget cost-effective. Ridgewood has been troubled with parking problems for decades. Plans to build a parking garage on land on Walnut Street, which had been in the works for several years, foundered when some council members did not believe that having the large building in downtown Ridgewood would be aesthetically pleasing, and others questioned whether the plans to rent retail space on the street-level would be economically viable in the present economy. ��� ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� You are invited to The Open House Sunday, August 30th 1pm-3pm Guest classes in Ballet Toe Stretch Character for all ages ����������������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ���������������������������������� HARDING WINE & SPIRIT ������������������������� ���������� ���������������������� The shore is nice, but don’t pay the price. Get your ������������������������ ���������������������� ���������� Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel Liberty Creek or... $ 2 Locations Glen Rock & Passaic PASSAIC LOCATION NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! We Offer Line Of Credits And Financing Plans HUGE WINE SELECTION Beer • Super Premium Spirits Party Planning • Gift Baskets Free Parking • Ice • Soda WE DELIVER Barefoot Wines $ 201.345-5621 Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel & Moscato 5 9 .99 1.5 liter .29 1.5 liter 305 E. Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 201-445-7122 All that money you’ll save can pay for your picnic on the beach! No rain checks issued. Not responsible for typographical errors.