Final Decision on Mechanical Parking Lifts in Ocean City Thursday Night

Ocean City, NJ -- A public hearing and final vote on a proposed ordinance eliminating mechanical lifts in the hospitality zone is set for Ocean City’s council meeting on Thursday night, June 9, at City Hall, 7 p.m.

The mechanical lifts have been around for about two or three years, and satisfy a parking requirement, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said. They were initially installed due to complaints over a lack of parking availability.

However, some homeowners have been hesitant to allow renters to use the lifts over safety concerns, resulting in a shortage of parking. The ordinance would eliminate the lifts as a requirement, but not ban them outright. Parking garage owners will need to apply for a variance from the Planning Board to have them included in any of their proposed plans.

Lifts will also be permitted in garages used in single-family or two-family homes, but the bottom of the car must be completely covered to prevent leaking, power can’t be required to reach the top of the car in the event of a power outage, lifts can’t be lowered if there is a car below it and parking spaces containing lifts won’t count as parking spaces for zoning purposes.

The maximum ceiling height is 15 feet.

It is the only ordinance up for discussion Thursday night.

There are 15 items on the consent agenda.

To view the full agenda, visit ocnj.us.