CAPE MAY — A number of homes in this city were built around or before the time the internal combustion engine automobile was being developed by Karl Benz in Germany and thus the homes didn’t have a need for a driveway.
Fast-forward 123 years to the present time where homeowners have nowhere to park other than curbside in front of their homes and in the summer, visitors fill those spots.
Cape May City Council addressed this problem last year by creating parking permits to reserve a space in front of homes with no driveways but a number of rental property owners have been seeking the permits which was not the intention of the ordinance.
On April 7, council decided to amend the original ordinance to allow summer residents, who do not rent out their homes, the opportunity to purchase a parking space permit. Previously only full time residents could apply for a permit.
The ordinance changes would not affect those who have been certified and pay their parking fee for 2009, said the mayor.
The ordinance was amended so summer residents could relinquish their parking space on an agreed upon date, after they leave for the season, freeing up the spot. Property owners would be assessed a surcharge to remove the sign that denotes the reserved parking space when they leave for the year.
Homeowners without driveways may find themselves parking blocks away from their homes during the busy summer season. Others mirror the behavior of Manhattan residents who hesitate to move their cars when they have found a good space.
City Solicitor Tony Monzo said the city had concerns about the number of on street parking permits being issued and the number of applicants who were not residents of the city who were using them for rental properties and using them as an added feature for their guests. He said the permits were concentrated in areas with parking meters.
Initially the city charged residents $350 per year for a permit believing the requested spaces would be a mix of metered and non-metered spaces, he said. The city loses about $1,000 per year from removing a metered space in front of a home, said Monzo.
The amended ordinance eliminates issuing a parking permit for multifamily dwellings that have one space in front with an exception made for a Bed and Breakfast Inns where the owner resides on site.
The original ordinance also made a parking spot available anywhere in the city to a homeowner who did not have a parking space. Some of those spots were nowhere near the property and had the potential to cause problems if a spot was found in front of someone else’s house.
A change to the ordinance limits a designated space to a 300-foot radius in front of property.
Councilman Niels Favre suggested an identification sticker for vehicles of those participating in the parking program which aid police enforcement. He asked for public comment before council voted to introduce the ordinance and suggested those who live in Cape three to five months of the year may have a need for a parking space.
“I know what is like not to have a space, it’s maddening,” said Pat Bourgeau, who is a full time resident following a period of being a summer resident. “You’re paying taxes, just because you don’t vote here doesn’t mean that you’re not living in this town for three or four month of the year.”
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said 47 parking permits had been issued with three more under review. He said almost all the permits have been issued in the downtown, which has caused the city to lose a tremendous amount of meter revenue.
Favre suggested making Bank Street one way and installing parking meters on one side of the road. Monzo said Venice Avenue would also need to be made one way leaving Cape May to West Cape May.
He said he would prepare an ordinance to make the change for council’s next meeting.
North Cape May – Another shout out to Officer Bohn, the school resource officer at LCMR. I admire his hard work and devotion to the students and staff as I see him every morning and afternoon, snow, wind , sleet or…
