Hempstead Town Officials Announce Proposal For Commuter Parking Lot Initiative

Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino and Councilman Gary Hudes recently announced their proposal for a major commuter parking initiative that would reserve over 6,400 parking spaces for local residents at five train stations along the LIRR’s south shore line between Seaford and Baldwin.

The proposal’s goal is to help ensure that more parking spaces are available to Town of Hempstead residents who use LIRR trains to commute to work, according to a press release from Santino’s office.

“Hempstead Town commuters deserve top priority when it comes to having a parking spot at train station parking lots which are owned and maintained by the town,” Santino said. “This proposal will save our town’s commuters from having to compete with drivers who live outside the area for a parking space at many train stations in our township.”

Train stations affected by the proposal include Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh and Baldwin.

The plan would dramatically increase the number of parking spaces reserved for town residents by 165 percent, according to the release.

Currently, the town has 2,420 spaces restricted to town-only commuters at the five stations.

“Commuters have brought to our attention that parking spaces at our town’s commuter lots are being swept up by residents of Suffolk County and other drivers who live outside our town,” Hudes said.

The officials explained that their proposal is planned to take effect on April 1, 2016, which would coincide with the renewal date for the town’s commuter parking permits (permits cover the period from April 1st to March 31st.)

“I am very happy that Supervisor Santino made this effort to include additional resident parking at these five stations,” Levittown commuter Bob Dolencie said. “It is a big plus for Town of Hempstead residents.”

To provide residents with an opportunity to obtain a resident-only parking permit, town officials will be visiting the affected Long Island train stations as follows:

• Baldwin - Tuesday, March 8
• Seaford - Thursday, March 10
• Merrick - Tuesday, March 15
• Bellmore - Thursday, March 17
• Wantagh - Tuesday, March 22

The town will have its Mobile Town Hall at the station between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on these dates.

Residents must bring their car registration as proof of residency when purchasing permits. Payment may be made in cash or by check (payable to the Town of Hempstead).

While parking permits do not guarantee a parking space; however, they do ensure that parking in permit stalls is reserved exclusively for Town of Hempstead residents.

In addition to upcoming parking permit sales at train stations within Hempstead Town parking fields, residents can secure parking permits at Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street in Hempstead. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m, and Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents who wish to apply for a commuter parking permit by mail should visit: http://bit.ly/tohparkingpermit for an application and instructions.

For more information, call (516) 812-3513 or e-mail commuterparking@tohmail.org.