Handicapped Parking Ordinance: Princeton To Take Another Look

PRINCETON, NJ — An ordinance to create a single handicapped parking space in front of a home on Hawthorne Avenue failed to pass after Council voted 5-1 not to approve the measure.

The discussion was tabled for another day, and Council asked the ordinance to be reintroduced with a more detailed and specific set of criteria.

Resident Bruce Lawton and his Alice J. Artzt wife, who needs the handicapped parking designation, told Council that it gets really difficult for them to get in and out on the street. Although the spot in front of their house has traffic cones and signage, the space is often taken, Lawton said.

Many neighbors wrote to Council in favor of the ordinance.

Though Council members sympathized with the couple, they were concerned it could set an unfavorable precedent.

“I do feel that we are making an exception that we haven’t made in the past. And I totally understand if there was a street where there is limited parking. But where there is ample parking, I've never witnessed a situation where someone might not have access to parking in front of their home,” said Councilwoman Leticia Fraga.

“In certain neighborhoods, there are large number of residents who do not have on-street parking,” said Councilman David Cohen. “Will residents see that as an opportunity to get a reserved space on the street which has never been possible before?” he asked.

Councilman Leighton Newlin said that as it was currently written, the ordinance “leaves the town wide opens a multitude of problems.” “I think it should be rewritten to be tight so that when this happens again there won’t be any conjecture or any hesitancy,” he said.

Mayor Mark Freda asked the Municipal attorney to draft a revised ordinance. It’s not known when the reworked ordinance will be introduced.

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