Commissioners Tweak Overnight Parking Regulations

The Haddonfield this week agreed to keep a ban on overnight street parking in place after more than a month of public debate.

They also agreed to change the hours of the ban to 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Previously it was 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. A deadline for requesting overnight street parking on a Camden County phone system will also be moved up to midnight instead of 2 a.m.

A first reading of the ordinance change will be heard next Tuesday, May 8, at the commissioner's action meeting. A public hearing and vote will be held next month. The changes will not go into effect until the ordinance is changed.

"I'm certainly not in favor with getting rid of it," said Commissioner Tish Colombi, the mayor. Colombi had previously cited a .

Commissioner Ed Borden, who oversees the police as the director of public safety, and police Chief John Banning expressed concern during a commissioner's work meeting Monday about the amount of time it takes to enforce the ban and mediate disputes with neighbors, and if it was an efficient use of time. Banning said the department was ready and able to carry out whatever directive the commissioners gave.

Haddonfield residents who want temporary parking on the street are allowed seven days a month to do so. Under the current regulations, residents need to call into a Camden County phone system to request permission before 2 a.m.

Police then have to listen to a recording of the request and physically write down addresses. There is no way to stop the playback. If any information is unclear, the officer on duty must replay the entire recording.

Residents can also request a yearly permit for up to two cars for street parking, but must have a need, such as inadequate driveway space or no driveway at all. The permits cost $25 for residents with no driveway and $100 for those with inadequate space.

Officials are also exploring new procedures for temporary overnight parking that could take the place of the call-in system. One possibility is a plan to sell permits for overnight parking. Banning is researching a system used in Montclair, NJ, where motorist are able to purchase street parking permits that can be used once, when needed. The permit hangs on the rear-view mirror inside the car and cost $5 each. Officials said it could replace the call-in system and ease the time it takes to rule on if residents qualify for a year-long permit.

Paid temporary overnight parking is not part of the ordinance change that will be introduced Tuesday.