By CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS
The Neptune Township Committee will convene a special meeting Sat., Jan. 28 to discuss a proposed pilot program for residential parking permits in Ocean Grove, where narrow streets and summer-season overcrowding have long created frustration.
The pilot program would operate in the northwest quadrant of Ocean Grove and would provide free permits to park on one side of the street through most of the pilot area. After presentation of the pilot program, people will have a chance to share their thoughts on the proposal. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Jersey Shore Arts Center auditorium.
In another matter related to parking in the grove, committee members are proposing three-hour parking limits in the commercial district on Main Avenue from May 15 to Sept. 15 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The targeted areas are the north side of Main Avenue 66 feet to 124 feet from the northwest corner of Central Avenue and the north side of Main Avenue 59 feet to 104 feet west of the northwest corner of Pilgrim Pathway and Main Avenue.
Also, the south side of Main Avenue 43 feet west to 99 feet west of the southwest corner of Central and Main avenues and south side of Main Avenue 100 feet to 156 feet east of the southeast corner of New York and Main avenues.
Details of the pilot program are available on the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association website. The program provides for permits for year-round residents and seasonal residents and if approved, would be implemented March 1.
“In an effort to address the critical parking issues observed in Ocean Grove, it is proposed that the Neptune Township Committee approve a pilot program for CY 2023 to test Resident Permit Parking in a portion of Ocean Grove,” the proposal states. “By carefully creating an RPPP area that consists of two zones, this proposed pilot will promote parking opportunities for residents of Ocean Grove and is designed in such a way that its implementation will not result in a “shift” of the parking problem to other areas of the community.”
Zone 1 would be adjacent to Asbury Park’s business district from Cookman Avenue to Lake Avenue where year round Asbury workers and visitors choose to park for free in Ocean Grove.
Zone 2 is for seasonal permits.
Each resident or tenant will be entitled to two free permits provided they can show proof of residency. For owners, that is a driver’s license and a property tax bill; for tenants, that would be a certificate of occupancy and a copy of the lease.
