West Orange Tries New Rules To Create More Parking

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange residents in the Heights neighborhood wanted more parking. But they didn’t want one-way streets. Now, town officials are testing out a possible solution: suspending alternate side parking.

West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi recently issued an advisory about the changes to parking rules in The Heights, which officially took effect on Monday, Oct. 15.

“The township recently polled neighbors about creating one-way streets in The Heights neighborhood in order to increase parking,” Parisi stated. “The poll results were not supportive of this change. However, the township has routinely suspended alternate side parking rules for holidays without incident. As a result, we are going to suspend alternate side parking rules for a six-month trial basis period effective Monday, October 15 in the interest of adding parking options for residents.”

The current alternate side parking rules will only apply during snow events this winter and notification will be provided in advance of snow storms, Parisi wrote.

The mayor added:

“Alternate side parking rules will be suspended for six months on Watchung Avenue, Whittlesey Avenue, Watson Avenue, Fremont Street, Cherry Street, Chestnut Street, and additionally, on Elm Street, Kirk Street and Maple Street but only between Harrison Avenue and Franklin Avenue.”

The new parking regulations will be “for a trial period only,” and the town – after receiving input from residents – will reevaluate the rules after a six-month trial period, Parisi wrote.

Residents with questions about the changes can call the township engineering department at 973-325-4160.

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