City Council committee approves request to State legislature for residential parking permits in New York City

On Wednesday, November 2, the New York City Council Committee on Federal and State Legislation passed a resolution for a “home rule message” to the New York State legislature for passage of bills S2325 and A4266 authorizing New York City to implement residential parking permits (RPP) in the five boroughs. RPP would give the City a powerful tool to reduce demand by Barclays Center patrons for local streets.

“The nearly-unanimous vote by the committee shows that City Council members understand residential parking permits are an idea whose time has come,” said Danae Oratowski, chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. “The other demand management strategies proposed in the Atlantic Yards environmental impact analysis don’t have the same potential to encourage arena patrons to use mass transit and leave their cars at home.”

On Monday night, October 31, BrooklynSpeaks published an online petition calling on City Council members to approve the request for RPP authorization. By Wednesday morning, more than 500 signatures had been received. “The neighborhoods of central and downtown Brooklyn have been advocating for RPP for years as a solution to congestion on local streets and excessive commuter parking,” said Jo Anne Simon, Democratic District Leader of the 52nd District. “With the projected thousands of cars arriving for hundreds of Barclays Center events each year, the public response shows we’ve passed the tipping point. We’re grateful for the efforts of State Senator Squadron and Assemblywoman Millman in sponsoring the State legislation, and now look forward to swift action from their colleagues in Albany.”

The City Council will vote to ratify the committee’s action on Thursday, November 3. Members of the public may add their signatures to the online petition here.