Cape May Seeks to Avoid Referendum on Additional Parking/Meters

CAPE MAY — The city has acknowledged the receipt of petitions of a group seeking a voter referendum on increasing the number of parking spaces and meters in East Cape May and according to the mayor, is looking at ways to avoid a special election which could set a precedent requiring such an initiative to change parking or traffic regulations.
The Friends and Neighbors of East Cape May, a recently formed neighborhood association, delivered 220 signatures on 37 petitions to the city clerk. The ordinances the group opposes allows the city to create more than 300 new parking spaces by using back in angle parking on Beach Avenue and installing parking meters in the east side of town where parking has been free of charge.
According to a press release from the City of Cape May, the city clerk will review the petition for accuracy and if it meets all of the statutory requirements, will certify it and it submit it to City Council which will then start a 20 day period for council’s decision to either repeal the ordinances or schedule a special election.
“Public participation is always welcome, however, certain regulations that address issues that are a collaboration between state law and local ordinances are not suitable for referendum or initiative,” said Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. “We believe that all parking regulations fall into this category because of the ever changing parking and traffic circulation issues that confront the City of Cape May on a continuing basis.”
“These ordinances were not rushed into place,” he continued.
He said metered parking was discussed throughout the master plan reexamination process and the recommendation for parking meters was included as part of the reexamination plan, which was unanimously approved by the city’s Planning Board and accepted by a vote of City Council.
“This matter will be thoroughly reviewed from a legal standpoint to determine whether the petition can be certified and, if certified whether the city will take action to prevent a special election,” said Mahaney.
“The issue goes beyond the angled parking and meters in East Cape May, but goes to the heart of all traffic and parking regulations which once approved through a referendum or initiative process, can only be modified through the same process. This would hamstring the ability of City Council to address the ever changing traffic and parking needs within the City of Cape May.”