POLL: Residential Parking Permits for Brooklyn?

Brooklyner November 4, 2011 at 06:55 pm

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but this would cut down on people who live in the neighborhood but are committing insurance fraud by registering their car to an address not in Brooklyn. There are quite a few cars with out of state plates that are parked year round on the same block. I suspect that some of these people probably would forgo owning a car if they had to pay the full price of car insurance.

Chris November 4, 2011 at 07:18 pm

if a parking space in the neighborhood costs say $250 a month (i really have no idea.) then that's $3,000 per year. considering that street spots are outside, subject to weather and storm damage, potential vandalism, accidents, etc. and that they're not guaranteed, a much lower price would be reasonable.
further considering that the city might want to provide more "affordable" parking for our residents that /need/ (can't do italics in the comment section.) to drive for various reasons, a rate of $200 is very reasonable for the city to charge to store private property on the streets. i think the city should pay special attention to car sharing programs and other situations where people only use a car periodically--such as borrowing a friend's car. it would be great to be able to buy a temporary pass for X number of days where one writes in the date and displays the permit on the dashboard. traffic cops would just have to check that the date has been marked. -chris

Donald Shoup November 4, 2011 at 08:45 pm

Chris, a parking permit in Hoboken is $15 per year. In Boston, it's free. In DC, I believe it's between $35 and $50 per year.
You can park in a garage for $250 - $400 a month and even outdoor private lots can charge as much, showing you just how undervalued on street parking is. I think businesses, such as the auto body shops that leave wrecked cars on the street forever, ought to pay market rate for parking.

Michael Brown November 4, 2011 at 08:54 pm

I find it hard to believe that this is actually Donald Shoup, but if so, baller.

Jorge November 5, 2011 at 01:36 am

Count me in as absolutely for residential parking permits. You'd be surprised at how quickly your tune changes as to parking several blocks away (or even using your car versus taking the train) when you become a parent. The Slope should continue to serve as a model for family-friendly neighborhoods, and giving priority to its residents with parking should be part of that.

Joanna Smith November 5, 2011 at 04:03 pm

The main benefit of RPP's is that they have been proven to reduce the amount of vehicles driving around looking for free parking. Since NYPD is unwilling/underfunded/incapable of enforcing moving violations in our city, and the streets are basically lawless, this reduction in vehicle volume will make us all more safe.

loren November 5, 2011 at 04:19 pm

I applaud anyone opting NOT to own a car in the city; but don't condemn those who do either. Business needs, family needs and just transportation to get out on the weekend are reasons to own a car. It is sheer TORTURE finding a space near your home in the Slope. It severely impacts quality of life here. Ask anyone what is the major beef with this neighborhood and I guarantee most will say the parking. Is it so unreasonable that people who live here get a permit to park here? Don't forget the 30 minutes driving around looking for a space on a day when it's tight uses up fuel and impacts the environment.
And, if you don't OWN a car, why do you care??

Parksloper November 5, 2011 at 09:30 pm

And everyone without a kid is subsidizing those with kids in more ways than one. Want to have a kid, pay for it yourself. Public streets are subsidized by taxes, tolls that we car owners pay, its not free. Bike owners are the free loaders. No gas tax, no registration fee. You pay nothing to be able to ride around and terrorize pedestrians.

Parksloper November 5, 2011 at 09:37 pm

They believe they have the right to tell others how to live their lives. All of this free parking on public property real estate crap is from the transportation alternative nazi's who believe in their small minds that everyone should be riding a bike and nobody should own a car.
Here's hoping we have one hell of a winter.

Peter Petino Active Transport November 6, 2011 at 02:21 am

Firstly- no one once mentioned that the Atlantic Stadium has the most public railways to get there than any other Stadium in the NYS. Secondly having private parking permits will further show a separation for the haves and the have not's which we do not need in this city. peter

Peter Petino Active Transport November 6, 2011 at 02:27 am

To Mike you are what a have's soud like - what happens when the have not's speake out in this city - well I would not want your spot. If you want to have a place for your car you should not have moved in. It is plan as day to me

Mike Lanseer November 6, 2011 at 03:30 am

There sure are a lot of have-nots parking their cars in all the public housing projects everywhere around the five boroughs. Talk about free parking, free rent, free gas and electric. What a turn around in society. If you have something, it must be because you are an elitist and you are taking from society. If people want to come into the area either by public transportation or by private car I think that's wonderful. Fifth Ave used to be a waste land. It's great that people want to come into the area. More people more business, better safety, better neighborhoods. Some in this x-generation seem to be worried about their own privileges above all others.
The auto industry employs countless numbers of people all across the USA. Most have- nots would love to become haves. Education and a work ethic sure helps. In Europe bike riders have licenses plates and follow the rules of the road. To be fair, just leave the system as it should be, first come, first park. Do your really want more government regulation??

Anthony November 6, 2011 at 05:03 am

I agree with you, Loren. But in these parts, most, not all, who ride a bike feel the need to condemn those who choose to own a car. And the reason why you choose to own a car doesn't matter to those who judge. To them, owning a car is evil. It's a problem to the community. Well, good for you if you want to ride a bike. I NEED to own a car and I will continue to do so.
BTW, stay in your damn bike lanes.

Michael Brown November 6, 2011 at 06:16 am

It is not economic crap re: street use and pricing. Here's the solution to both non-drivers' and drivers' gripes: auction the permits off.
I bet you'll see a lot less support for parking permits if people had to pay with money, rather than time, to park.

loren November 6, 2011 at 02:58 pm

I do have a logistical question ... how would this work? Are there enough spaces to accomodate homeowners with cars and tenants with cars? Would it be a battle to find a space on your own block even with a sticker? I live off the park and in the summer, the battle for spaces is ridiculous. Just wondering ...

Jorge November 7, 2011 at 03:52 am

We don't need this faux-libertarian stuff on here. This has nothing to do with who is able to own a vehicle in less fortunate areas or government regulation. This is about the limited parking spaces in this neighborhood going to people actually pay rent or own property here and not potential arena traffic.
I was down on the LES this weekend and, for the first time ever in my life, actually drove down there. Those municipal lots down there really are amazing. For those who'd be shut out by permit parking, wouldn't it be nice to have more city municipal lots and less private lots?

Jorge November 7, 2011 at 03:57 am

I can only say that, on my block, most of the residents know each other and know who each other's car looks like. We know what a car that's been left on the block by an outsider looks like, or what belongs to someone who parked nearby because of the subway station on the corner. We'd be rid of those, which would make things a bit easier for sure.

Anthony November 7, 2011 at 04:16 am

I have a question for you Michael Brownie. Why do you reply to my post with something that has absolutely nothing to do with what I said? You reply to my post talking about auctioning off permits when I'm talking about people on here who condemn those that choose to own cars. One has nothing to do with the other. Stop trying to be too smart for your own good.

Michael Brown November 7, 2011 at 02:04 pm

If you look, you'll see that my reply was to Parksloper's comments regarding his thoughts on the economics of street pricing, not your comments on drivers and bikers condemning one another. For some reason, you can not reply to replies on Patch's system, just to the original comment.

Um no November 7, 2011 at 02:31 pm

Bike riders are not licensed in Europe. Copenhagen and Amsterdam have huge cycling rates and neither city licenses cyclists.

Um no November 7, 2011 at 02:33 pm

Car drivers must stay in their own damn car lanes. I see far too many of them parking on sidewalks, in no standing zones, in bike lanes, in hydrant spaces...they need to earn the respect they say they want if they want privileges.

rick November 7, 2011 at 04:59 pm

You are still not guarenteed a parking spot on the street you live on with the permits. Its going to be an 80 20 split on parking and since most of the people in the slope leave their cars home and take the train parking is still going to be scarce.

Um no November 7, 2011 at 05:03 pm

It's a math game. The average lot in Park Slope is about 1.25 car lengths long, but most buildings have multiple apartments in them. My building is one old brownstone carved up into eight apartments. It's simply not possible for every person who owns a car to find parking on his block or even in his immediate neighborhood.
Drivers are in for a rude awakening if they think that residential permits will somehow guarantee them a parking space. If parking is scarce, we should do what we do with other limited resources...charge for it! I really need to eat, but I don't expect free food. Why does anyone expect free parking, other than because it's been free in the past?

tom murphy November 16, 2011 at 08:14 pm

I hope this comment was vetted and this is from the real Donald Shoup. If so, That's fine; if not, then it is a fraud.
That said please note Dr. Shoup clearly says an "owner should not be able to store [a] car for free". He does not say to rule it out. He just see value in it and a price can be applied, and should be where there is commercial demand. RPP can only enhance this systwm.

tom murphy November 16, 2011 at 08:21 pm

People who don't own a car have a name: PASSENGERS!

Peter Petino Active Transport November 17, 2011 at 04:32 am

Jorge-who said family friendly should include parking? It without mention that you did choose to live in an area that has a parking problem. Now you want to call having parking family friendly. Would you say that if you moved to Manhattan? Well make believe Park Slope in now called Manhattan Slope. What will you say now about your choice of where to live? The streets are public if you want parking buy a space in a lot or move.

Peter Petino Active Transport November 17, 2011 at 04:56 am

Um - your so called parking resource is a public street. Who is to say who should buy the parking spot you. When your public street becomes private it should cost a lot and other cars should not drive on your private street. You do not understand you choose to live here with public streets I may add - why change the game now. That will implicate that every area in the entire city that has a problem with parking should go private. Hello Knock Knock - If you wanted parking why did you choose the Slope. You live here you deal with the problems. If you do not like - move.

Michael Brown November 17, 2011 at 03:24 pm

Peter -
A public street, on which the benefit of storing private property on is conveyed ONLY to those citizens who choose to own a private automobile.

Nancy Carpenter November 22, 2011 at 04:45 pm

I totally agree about the cars that are not registered in and/or not paying Brooklyn insurance rates. I have been living in the Slope for 25 years, own my home, pay real estate taxes, pay water and sewer tax, etc. Yet I have to circle sometimes for an hour to find a spot prior to an alternate side parking day. I counted six PA and NJ cars on my block alone several years ago and those same cars are still and always there. I am 100% in favor of the RPPs. I just don't think the cost should be exhorbitant. The rules surrounding them are what matter most - being a resident, having your car registered and insured in NY and paying for the permit.

Peter Petino Active Transport November 23, 2011 at 01:54 am

Whom will decide? So you pay all these taxes for owning property here and you think you should be the one to purchase and get a permit. Not so I say. No way - why would anyone who loves to drive buy here without a place put your car? Because this is a city and you can go anywhere within it on public transportation. You do not here all this talk from people who live in Manhattan do you! So lets all stand up and say I will let this go for now - until I can find a real place to park - like a garage.