Res. No. 161
Resolution calling on the State Legislature to pass A. 3957 and its companion, S. 1395, which would amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing a residential parking permit program in the City of New York.
By Council Members Levin, James, Dromm, Palma, Rodriguez, Van Bramer and Williams
Whereas, An increase in the population of New York City in the past decade has resulted in a housing construction increase in and around the City; and
Whereas, This increase has led to corresponding growth in the number of New York City residents owning a car; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of City Planning found in 2009 that New Yorkers have become increasingly concerned by the lack of available off-street and on-street parking near their residences; and
Whereas, These concerns are supported by studies such as those conducted by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership just three years ago, which found that there was less than one spot in Brooklyn Heights for every four registered cars; and
Whereas, Transportation Alternatives (TA), an advocacy group that seeks methods to decrease private car usage in New York City, states that the number of cars searching for free parking on City streets on weekdays is in the thousands; and
Whereas, The City of New York has been considering implementing residential parking permits since 2007 as part of a larger plan to reduce congestion, traffic and the level of emissions in all neighborhoods citywide; and
Whereas, New York State Assembly bill A. 3957 and State Senate bill S. 1395 would amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law to allow the City of New York, by adoption of local law or ordinance, to provide for a residential parking permit system and fix and require the payment of fees applicable to parking within areas designated by the City; and
Whereas, Under the proposed legislation, permits would have to be purchased and the revenue would go to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to fund City buses and subways; and
Whereas, According to TA, many cities currently operate successful residential parking permit programs, such as Boston, Chicago and Washington D.C.; and
Whereas, New York State legislators argue that the permits would reduce needless traffic accidents and hazards, pedestrian fatalities, air and noise pollution; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the State Legislature to pass A. 3957 and its companion, S. 1395, which would amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing a residential parking permit program in the City of New York.
AC
LS# 723
3/16/10