Potential Roadblock for Permit Parking Plan

The plan for residential permit parking, lauded by some residents who live near the Barclays Center arena, may not have a chance in Albany, if state Sen. Marty Golden, R–Bay Ridge, has his way.

The Brooklyn Paper reports that though City Council approved the proposal, Golden has called the idea of a voluntary permit parking system “another tax on our communities.”

“The idea that someone would have to pay to park in front of their own home is ludicrous,” Golden told the Paper.

According to the report, Golden’s view was shared by other politicians in southern Brooklyn, where vehicle ownership is more prevalent than in the neighborhoods surrounding the new arena.

Once completed, the 18,000-seat Barclays Center only has 1,1000 designated parking spots, and is to the area.

The permit proposal has been pushed in Albany by state Sen. Daniel Squadron, D–Brooklyn Heights, and Assemblywoman Joan Millman, D–Cobble Hill, .

Under the plan, the Department of Transportation may implement parking permits in neighborhoods that request them, and residents may then buy into the monthly pass (which does not guarantee a parking space). 20 percent of the parking spaces would still be open to non-residents for short-term parking, while commercial strips would not be affected at all.

“Residential parking permits have been desperately needed in many of our communities for a long time and increased development, especially the Atlantic Yards project, will only bring in more congestion to these neighborhoods," said Councilmember Stephen Levin, just a few days ago.