Ocean Grove looks to solve parking problem with permit proposal

NEPTUNE - Whether a proposed residential parking permit program would solve Ocean Grove’s parking issues was discussed at a special meeting of the Township Committee.

"Ocean Grove has a parking problem," said Joyce Klein, the vice president of the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association, and a member of the parking subcommittee.

The Township Parking Subcommittee presented the pilot proposal for the Ocean Grove Residential Parking Program (RPPP) at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove in a special meeting on Saturday, Jan. 28.

According to the subcommittee it is designed to increase the likelihood of residents being able to park near their home while minimizing the shift of problem to other areas.

"Being able to park near home is not a privilege, it is a basic necessity,", said one resident.

The subcommittee concluded that Ocean Grove has "always had a parking problem,” the difference being that in the past it was the result of visitors coming to Ocean Grove and today the problem is a result of Asbury Park visitors and workers using it as a free parking lot.

"They come, they park, then they walk to Asbury Park," Klein said. "Parking is at a premium."

Ocean Grove has 3,123 housing units, 3,057 fulltime residents, and the second highest population density in the region behind Asbury Park, according to the most recent census data. Forty percent of the full-time residents are age 62 or older.

The parking subcommittee was led by Deputy Mayor Tassie York and was comprised of two representatives from the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce, the Better Parking Alliance and one resident, Shane Martins.

"The subcommittee met a total of six times and the majority of the subcommittee endorsed a variety of the recommendations. Some of which, like three-hour parking in the business district, are starting to come to fruition," Klein said.

One recommendation was for residential parking permits.

"That recommendation was adopted by the majority, but it was not unanimous," Klein said.

Martins said the hardest decision made was regarding guest parking, and clarified that the vote for residential parking permits was 8-2 with the two opposition votes coming from the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association with respect to the "tenters."

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns the unincorporated community, located within Neptune Township and is rooted in its Methodist heritage. The group's goal is to provide opportunities for spiritual birth, growth, and renewal through worship, educational, cultural and recreational programs for people of all ages in a Christian seaside setting, according to the group's mission statement.

Better Parking Alliance President Andy Levine said the aim is to increase chances of residents to find parking spaces near their home.

"It does not mean they're going to guarantee a space in front of your home, it doesn't even guarantee you're going to have space on your streets. What it means is you're going to be able to park closer," Levine said. "So, if during certain times during the summer, normally you have to walk four blocks or three blocks, it might be one block or two blocks."

He said there would be no fees for Ocean Grove residents and modest cost for Neptune Township.

The pilot program would have two zones; limited to the Northwest section of Ocean Grove or roughly 15% of Ocean Grove, but a large enough area to yield meaningful results after one year.

The first zone, called the blue zone, Levine said was "the perfect storm" because "it is adjacent to the Asbury Park business district."

He added that due to Asbury Avenue and Lake Avenue "basically three rows of houses (are) served with one street for parking."

The second zone is called the green zone.

"The green (zone) has challenges but frankly are not as significant as the first zone. There's less density, there's a greater distance from Asbury Park," Levine said. "This zone would be a seasonal zone; it would operate four months out of the year from May 15 through Sept. 15."

The snow removal side of the street would act as residential parking, while the other side would be for all cars.

Homeowners and renters in both zones would be eligible for a parking permit.

Michael Badger, president of the camp meeting association, asked the township committee to consider saying "no" to the "parking solutions."

"Historically, Ocean Grove has had limited parking," Badger said. "It has always been first come, first serve."

He added "we have few driveways, and few garages and we have no special parking privileges."

"It is fair when everyone gets a shot," Badger said. "Ocean Grove is only a half-mile long; the Jersey Shore is over 127 miles."

He said if every resident got a parking permit it doesn't solve the problem.

"When you choose to live some place, choose wisely," Badger said.

Some residents took issue with Badger's words and presentation, especially a depiction of a devil among those disadvantaged by the permit parking.

"The reason for the devil image is because the people who are proposing or advocating only want you to focus on one bad guy; the Asbury Park visitor. That is why it’s red, that's why there's horns, don't pay attention everybody else is invisible to you," Badger said.

During the public hearing there were many residents that supported the program, citing progress and the fact it is only a pilot program to figure out the parking problem.

Some residents opposed the proposed permit plan citing it would take away from the welcoming nature of Ocean Grove, only for other residents to point out it is not always welcoming, like when the beach is closed on Sunday or if a same-sex couple wants to get married.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean Grove looks to solve parking problem with permit proposal