Cedar Grove Amends Parking Limits

The Cedar Grove Township Council Monday night amended a Union Street parking ordinance, which originally called for two-hour parking limits on the north side of the street.

The ordinance, passed unanimously by the council, calls for a limit of two-hour parking on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both sides of the street up to 200 feet from Ridge Road.

The ordinance will take effect 20 days after being published in local newspapers, said Cedar Grove Township Manager Thomas Tucci.

In July 2012, the council enacted parking limits on four township roads, including Union Street, “due to congestion from people commuting to New York and parking on these roads all day,” said Deputy Mayor Robert O'Toole at the time.

“Cars are parking too close to the corner,” said Tucci. “The (amended) ordinance is in the interest of public safety as a lot of children cross at the corner.”

Michael Picardi, a Cedar Grove resident of 45 years, told council members Monday within the last six to eight weeks he has noticed more and more Cedar Grove High School students parking on Ridge Court.

“It started with two cars, then four,” said Picardi. “Tonight there were 13 cars parked there, I couldn't even get out of my driveway.”

“Last week I drove around the high school parking lot and counted 17 open parking spaces,” he added. “Why they don't want to park there, I don't know.”

He is concerned about congestion on his street between 3 and 4 p.m. causing “an unsafe situation,” he said.

The council will ask the police department to prepare a report on the area and make a recommendation whether the situation calls for more stringent parking limits.

Picardi agreed with the council’s decision saying, "I am definitely satisfied with their response."