Stop The Parklets And Stop The Rats, Hoboken Councilwoman Says

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Councilwoman Jen Giattino, who represents the center of town, said that while campaigning for re-election, the top two issues she's heard people talk about are rodents and a lack of parking.

On Wednesday night, the City Council voted 8-1 to introduce an ordinance to ban future "parklets," or outdoor dining spots on top of street parking.

Current parklets will be grandfathered in, Giattino said, and the ordinance will not stop "streateries" — cordoned-off areas with tables and chairs — which are easier to pick up and clean.

A parklet, on the other hand, is a newly built structure that covers a long swath of roadway, and Giattino said she's had enough.

"This has been a hot topic that I have heard door knocking," she said Wednesday. "The first issue is rodents and the second is parking."

The measure will go to a hearing and final vote at a future meeting.

"Our goal should be to address the rodent issue now and reevalute once we have it under control," Giattino said.

The city has recently passed other measures targeted at rats, and various council candidates have also floated anti-rat initiatives, including hiring a "rat czar."

Watch the video of the meeting on Facebook or Youtube.

The agendas are here.