EASTON, Pa. — Easton residents living along a stretch of Bushkill Drive soon could have their invaluable parking spots protected.
Easton City Council introduced a new ordinance Wednesday that would enact permit parking for those living on Bushkill Street between N. 3rd Street and N. Delaware Drive.
It also would affect those living on Delaware Drive near Bushkill, to park for free.
According to the bill, the city Public Works Department would post permit parking signs within the zone for enforcement by license number.
"We had the same problem up on Fifth Street, and we did it up there: We put parking meters and gave them free permits to park. If you live there, you park there."Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
Public Works Director Dave Hopkins said the city had several complaints from residents over the past few years regarding parking on the bridge near Bushkill Drive and Route 611.
Hopkins said downtown visitors and some workers tend to park in the area to avoid fees.
“They're not moving their cars," Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said. "The deal with meters is to turn spaces down there. They're finding a place where it's free to park.
"We had the same problem up on Fifth Street, and we did it up there: We put parking meters and gave them free permits to park. If you live there, you park there."
After a Teams meeting with about 20 households affected by the problem, city officials began putting a plan together.
“It's not painless to put in a parking program, but they thought it would be worth it," Hopkins said. "So, you know, at the very least, we said we'd give it a shot.
"And I think by virtue of just the permit signs being up, I think that could sort of discourage people to abandon their vehicles there."
Response from the residents was supportive of the measure, and Hopkins said his office will continue to work with them.
According to Hopkins, those without permits parking in the designated zones will receive a warning initially, with citations starting a few weeks after the ordinance goes into effect.
More parking problems
The “P Word” has been a constant source of frustration for city government, residents and tourists for some time.
Officials try to ensure residents have access to parking while also accommodating tourists visiting Crayola Factory, downtown shops and other spots.
And that “P Word” came up twice more during Wednesday’s city council meeting.
An ordinance that would have added a 15-minute dropoff/pickup spot in front of A-Z Convenience Store on W. Berwick Street was shot down.
“I spoke to a few residents. I think taking that parking spot away from the residents is going to be tough. It's a tough call, but because we've done something for so long, sometimes we have to go back and look and see, are we creating additional hardships by granting this?”Easton City Councilwoman Crystal Rose
“The business is doing well without 15-minute parking, and I understand with past practices that we have done that," Councilman Frank Pintabone said.
"Unfortunately, I think some of the past practice that the city has done has contributed significantly to our parking issues in the neighborhood.
"And I think it's time that we stop making those same mistakes and look to do things differently going forward."
Councilwoman Crystal Rose concurred, stating that even if such a motion was granted to local businesses in the past, the practice should at least be reconsidered for the benefit of residents.
“I spoke to a few residents," Rose said. "I think taking that parking spot away from the residents is going to be tough.
"It's a tough call, but because we've done something for so long, sometimes we have to go back and look and see, are we creating additional hardships by granting this?”
During public comment, resident Arthur Ravitz presented council with a rough plan to address parking issues by instating a valet program, which would see workers park visitors’ cars in city garages for a small fee on top of any garage fees.
“We will be announcing something in the next few weeks about a parking program, similar, but not exactly like that," Panto said in response.
"We believe that Thyme is doing a good job with valet and other restaurants that they have a problem should follow suit, but you're right, but we have something coming up."
