[{"_1":2,"_118":-5,"_119":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546672,"mediaKeyId","3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014","parentId",3585417,"title","Residents press council on overnight parking, auto shops and scooter clutter; administration offers targeted enforcement and pilot permits","audioSeconds",845,"startMs",3135000,"endMs",3980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014&start=3135&end=3980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014/thumbnail_3135000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546672/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Residents-press-council-on-overnight-parking-auto-shops-and-scooter-clutter-administration-offers-targeted-enforcement-and-pilot-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546672-fc65097e09bce025af388ea2113d75f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207324&Signature=UkZmaU0NEJi8kdwYsVQThrqLx4EjVtdWGZYQo52DqEnLrYAI21ux9oSbhAHx-jAd~HRzjACrpKUuD0wlXAzV2LSizHgxqy2f89VfpGfrl-o-RQiXuXhmRF7gIkt~qYlECnJJQ8JBRbTGPQqGtezAGV508LV696RzV~bKnLQNWaJQKj2kJEDPqXlvYgCxQUg5lbmkZpNj8YKASylHT0wh-7InN2FtlQ8BAOxPuvZP7lnq6y03Xir4zuH8JFNI3PSRVw0KBiRsiy5svb3Jx3pgp2s8khihKCwkOto3P1AxelOllrn5k2AIJ0AWnanpNLU8b5AnivBJUlCAky8ngmslJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Passaic","date","2025-05-21T01:30:39Z","article","Several residents used the May 6 meeting to urge the council to address chronic parking shortages, overnight parking by nonresidents and partly parked cars that block sidewalks.

Parker Brown asked whether corner properties could have higher fences; staff explained corner frontages are limited to 4 feet and rear yards may be 6 feet under the city code, and that \"uniformity\" refers to fence type rather than uniform height. Brown also described residents, largely women returning from late shifts, who risk longer walks or safety concerns to find parking; he asked what the city can do to improve enforcement and safety.

The mayor and administration said the city added overnight parking enforcement officers after the pandemic to target commercial vehicles and trailers taking residential spaces. Officials said enforcement is 24 hours and that officers cannot selectively ignore violations because that could create liability if an accident occurred. The administration said it will assess areas for potential residential-permit parking and continues to test painted and angled parking to increase capacity; Gregory Avenue was cited as a site where temporary angled parking fit many cars during an event.

Residents also raised scooter and dockless electric-bike clutter on sidewalks and asked about enforcement. City officials said the issue is partly under state consideration and urged residents to report obstructions so patrols can remove or address them. Neighborhood requests about monuments and missing memorial plaques were forwarded to engineering and parks staff for on-site assessment.

Why it matters: Parking shortages, obstruction of sidewalks and vehicle storage by auto shops are daily quality-of-life issues for residents and can pose safety risks for pedestrians and emergency vehicles. The council and administration described administrative responses (overnight enforcement, pilot permit zones, targeted painting and angled parking) and said they will coordinate with police and DPW.

What happens next: Administration will send engineers and code officers to assess problem blocks (Burgess/Summer area and others named in public comments), explore residential-permit parking and continue targeted enforcement; code enforcement will inspect fence complaints.

Ending: Officials invited residents to file specific complaints so inspectors can document violations and said they will return with proposed pilot permit areas and potential painted/angled parking locations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Passaic Council Meeting - May 6th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents raised parking shortages, overnight parking by nonresidents, vehicles from auto shops and electric bikes blocking sidewalks. The administration said overnight enforcement units have been added, possible residential-permit programs will be explored for hotspot blocks, and DPW/engineering will assess painted parking solutions.","taxTitle","Passaic City, Passaic County, New Jersey","taxId",12672,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546677,"Passaic adopts ordinance tightening retail rules for lithium-ion batteries after fire concerns",408,4752000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014&start=4752&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014/thumbnail_4752000.jpg","/articles/6546677/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-adopts-ordinance-tightening-retail-rules-for-lithium-ion-batteries-after-fire-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546677-eed284f54899cbe8e3942db22cd4cfd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207324&Signature=V5dif03D8IbWdrtQGg-KCSps2YA4JY3MiYZBJqRSaMOE~n1wjDJquZVPYs4PvAJ~z4LoF3FyAe1R8hWiOdS2J~aA0jrk9jmepHuJSGAsOnM5Wj6rWa9wqdjI~pw1HVspm8cAv-UUCIggQzfHA81ABGuiD4m4mCtxo5-AGGMEceXf57zBF28PCxeCa8eUbo0Pas67rBjd1Vb-KYlTO6GW6f0Q-H78ow~z~4TApC8ORfXADQ9vggd5jr~NdL4Za~2H29T~CT~qRu409ICv81nbGTmSmZpUIY9dNJj2-cU2XQuRTb6mmEusXU-h-unZCSvGQ0XAJIIJTu4bT5UvcojKBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council on May 6 adopted an ordinance (24-81-25) that the administration said is intended to reduce fire risks from noncertified lithium-ion batteries sold or stored at retail locations.

Fire department and administration representatives told the council that the city had responded to multiple incidents in which makeshift or non-UL batteries ignited. The ordinance requires retailers to sell only certified batteries (UL or equivalent), use designated storage and charging safeguards, maintain specialized storage units for batteries, and follow procedures for disposal and removal of defective batteries.

During the public hearing, council members and members of the public asked whether the ordinance would regulate residential charging in apartment buildings. The mayor and the business administrator said the ordinance is aimed primarily at retail storage, sales and disposal, not at policing private residential charging behavior, although keeping noncertified batteries out of the supply chain would reduce the number present in homes. Officials said separate measures could be considered later if needed.

The ordinance passed by roll call that evening; the council recorded affirmative votes from members present. The administration said the ordinance was vetted by the city attorney and structured to address a recognized hazard: \"Unregistered lithium batteries pose a real danger as they spontaneously combust and go into flames,\" a city speaker said in the hearing.

Ending: The city clerk will publish the adopted ordinance and the fire department will monitor incidents and report enforcement needs and outcomes to the administration.","The council approved Ordinance 24-81-25 to require certified batteries, secure retail storage and disposal protocols after officials cited repeated fire responses to noncertified batteries used in e-bikes and other devices.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546680,"Passaic councilors, residents debate R‑1A zoning and a planned high‑rise near the train station",987,1719000,2706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014&start=1719&end=2706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014/thumbnail_1719000.jpg","/articles/6546680/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-councilors-residents-debate-R1A-zoning-and-a-planned-highrise-near-the-train-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546680-66e32416538cc6ca4906d59b31a95cab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207324&Signature=OcJfRLNwkDiL8yNlA0dor3KSBOQ5RIaUFHdF0hrCi-MlKhwpjMWEYGCmsXMVB-sSxfAqiSxZv3KaXANMRL2dFU8-6wxANncY0pKizcnNTXwpqFLhhyhn~w98Nk8stJ~QvCmeVnGSbiDVdH2idjVgN1GxJtC0hBauSkbgey~1t9wqDMTnCkqo83wVVnlJnqGDPI5~O-EVpqZwe-e7RtQz3v1HCc9AcjbeQPGFfCaG9SkpkiyjUCXIcCBQciRNJ~CZzqWIgTJk40CjbJmFeN6zcfK5VulOqGrSGp9lz72E~pOcQsRJSfSfgnKf8D8Afp6WxL8E~mQhiMFqCiMDV7t~og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents and council members spent a significant portion of the May 6 meeting discussing the R‑1A zoning district and a high-rise application scheduled for the planning board.

Resident Joshua Goldman, who described himself as a real-estate developer, told the council that the R‑1A district’s zoning is \"outdated\" for parts of the city and that there is a gap between allowances for single-family homes and for conditional high-rise development. \"There's kind of an opportunity for a collaborative effort between the city and the citizens to approach the issue,\" Goldman said.

Council members and the city’s master planner explained that the R‑1A district was drafted to take advantage of proximity to the train station while preserving neighborhood character. The master planner and council explained that high-rise uses in R‑1A are allowed only as a conditional use, not as-of-right, and require assemblage of parcels and presentation of studies (traffic, infrastructure capacity, sewer capacity and other analyses) before the planning board can approve an application. A council member noted a current application of almost two acres that assembled multiple parcels and is scheduled for the planning board the following night.

Council members repeatedly emphasized the separation of roles: the council does not review or decide planning-board applications; the planning board and zoning/land-use boards evaluate whether the conditional-use conditions are met. Council members said the Zoning/Planning Board must analyze infrastructure impacts and that applicants may proceed without owning parcels if they have agreements with owners for the application process.

Why it matters: The discussion affects neighborhood character, density, transit-oriented development near the train station, and potential traffic and infrastructure impacts. Residents voiced concerns about privacy and height of proposed buildings directly behind single-family homes; planners said such projects are uncommon and require meeting multiple conditions.

What happens next: The application will be considered by the planning board; the council encouraged residents to review planning-board materials and participate in the hearing.

Ending: Council President Schaer and the business administrator urged residents to consult the city’s master plan and planning-board materials for details and to use the planning-board process to submit testimony.","Residents and council members discussed the R‑1A zoning district, its purpose near transit, and a pending planning-board application for a multi-acre high-rise that some residents said would not fit the single‑family character of nearby blocks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546683,"Passaic residents press council over damaged sidewalks and conflicting tree-removal rules",299,739000,1038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014&start=739&end=1038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3585417-9335671b565deb29e83aec3ce7237014/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6546683/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-residents-press-council-over-damaged-sidewalks-and-conflicting-tree-removal-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546683-87451010e65e81534f532bca27e41d76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207324&Signature=oclddD0Z7rGDCxsriaDjjCFYIihoCOih4BCrV1tZbazmKjEGoHBSqEFXx6YpquCdmyJd5D88~aerxLttSSev6SeAiDNR-HKlG2nmOwunBrMt7LmC0IaiIsRALLhmzQnzSnVPtwMPwxNNXNpNHnoa6XchTyfikviBiQmI4y6X5Qv-Xp~1iKx4WAKNWFwr6X-Y9HkSb9zvJOBPBi7d-wcRyH2odEJhlEyshctSs3bQ6kBFHgabRAdP-bOLZDbaBxs1t1vWDl714xB1Kv6pWLltjriLrmUrHVUzQOHeg8BAvCtWnqfaa-WfJGpZHNBaLW9vejsBGaJKL7gtmb6JOAJ5ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alberto Rivera, a Passaic resident of nearly 29 years, told the City Council on May 6 that city-owned trees have lifted sidewalks at his corner property and that his efforts to get the city to repair the damage were unsuccessful.

Rivera said he was cited for a sidewalk violation despite the damage coming from roots of large oak trees and from a prior city removal that he said left the sidewalk damaged. He said he had been told by city staff in the past he could not remove or alter the trees and that he had offered to pay for tree removal years earlier. \"Why? How is it possible that a homeowner would be responsible for a tree that was never planted by me?\" Rivera asked the council.

Mayor Hector Laura and other officials described the city's process: inspections by DPW and engineers to assess tree health and hazard, limited trimming of branches (but not roots, the administration said), and legal review before a tree is removed. The business administrator and council members said state rules can restrict removal of otherwise healthy street trees and that a clear-cutting ordinance passed earlier constrained options. Council members said the city sometimes must build sidewalks around trees if state funding is involved and that tree-removal decisions are made case by case after engineering and attorney review.

City staff said they will inspect Rivera's property and present findings to the city attorney and DPW. Council President Schaer and other council members acknowledged the residents' financial hardship from repeated sidewalk replacements and discussed potential avenues including shared cost approaches and checking whether available home-repair funds (for income-eligible residents) could contribute.

Why it matters: The exchange highlights a recurring municipal issue in older cities where street trees predate sidewalks: who pays when roots damage municipal infrastructure, and how state regulations on tree removal and replacement influence local decisions. Residents said repeated repairs are costly; the council said the city must balance liability, public safety and state restrictions.

What happens next: Officials agreed to send engineers to inspect the specific address and to refer the matter to the city attorney for guidance on liability and possible remedies.

Ending: Council members said the city would follow up by assessing the tree and root damage and exploring funding or remediation options that comply with state rules.
","A resident told the council a city-owned tree has lifted his sidewalk; council and administration described a case-by-case process requiring engineering and legal vetting and noted state restrictions on removing healthy street trees.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":116,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":117,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546688,"Passaic Council adopts battery safety ordinance and multiple parking, zoning and finance measures","/articles/6546688/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-Council-adopts-battery-safety-ordinance-and-multiple-parking-zoning-and-finance-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546688-9db6a74baeccb691ea84281b862fe84b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207324&Signature=iDMC8I5G27s0jVKW2BnzR99UOeEfu76zmRI6IcoGBwA7a5E~QFQU~2UNRIIT9cDA94U1zR4dKSI~FgNPIpMPvneEGVHCQMZbql9prm2ypxRlK6fvAirqDxZwG1QjCrKK8IpJmU3EKAQ3pTVkFCPI00TuK3ewEroCF831JTnb0~0pPt-95OzxdOGGAWntzSihr3fGLC1Y4euhm2vdcQmpeCk52RcerFHIDpS18UaOBf90pzva85Fo6N4Cp8-66Hb8q~WM9CWImlix8ECQyhtDHPsSxaoVUjWDTi5rB6ZefPeuigAIXWD800RBND82opeTKxbbWFDTuhGpyv7mb0iIhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council on May 6 adopted an ordinance aimed at tightening safety rules for retail storage and handling of lithium-ion batteries and approved a bundle of additional ordinances and resolutions affecting parking, disabled parking spaces, municipal telecom services and capital projects.

The council voted unanimously on the lithium-ion battery safety ordinance (Proposed Ordinance 24-81-25) after a short public hearing in which the mayor and fire department staff described recent incidents of batteries combusting in retail settings. The ordinance requires retailers to handle certified (UL or equivalent) batteries, use designated storage and charging safeguards, and follow disposal protocols intended to reduce fire risk.

Council members also approved Proposed Ordinance 24-82-25, which amends designations for restricted parking for disabled persons by specifying New Jersey license plate numbers. A group of ordinances listed as items 3 through 11 was adopted together by roll call, and ordinance 12 was voted on separately as shown in the meeting record. The council introduced Ordinance 27 for first reading and set a second hearing for May 20.

In resolutions, the council authorized a contract for telecom and data transmission services that the administration said supports public-safety radios and upgraded network circuits; staff described the contract as roughly $6,000 per month for service that helps maintain upgraded antennas and radio systems. The council also approved a number of routine resolutions (items 13–26) covering municipal business and procurement. Vote roll calls on the record show unanimous or near-unanimous support for the measures presented that evening.

Why it matters: The battery ordinance is intended to reduce local fire incidents tied to noncertified lithium batteries sold or stored at retail; the telecom contract supports emergency communications infrastructure the administration said had experienced outages in adverse conditions. The other approvals maintain routine municipal operations, parking designations and capital project adjustments.

Votes at a glance
- Proposed Ordinance 24-81-25 (lithium-ion battery safety): Approved by roll call (record shows affirmative votes by council members present). Motion/second: not specified in public record. Outcome: approved.
- Proposed Ordinance 24-82-25 (disabled parking by NJ license plate): Approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinances 3–11: Adopted as a block by roll call. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 12: Voted separately; approved by roll call. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 27: Introduced for first reading; public hearing set for May 20. Outcome: introduced.
- Resolutions 13–26: Approved by roll call (authorizing contracts, grants, and routine municipal actions). Outcome: approved.

What the record shows: Roll-call votes are recorded in the meeting transcript with affirmative responses from Council President Schaer and council members Monk, Love, Mello, Schwartz, Garcia and Colombo Montanez. The meeting minutes and ordinance texts will specify the full legal language, effective dates and implementing details.

The council meeting concluded after motions to approve the agenda items and payments of bills were carried by roll call.","At its May 6 meeting the Passaic City Council adopted an ordinance regulating lithium-ion battery sales and storage and approved a slate of other ordinances and resolutions, including disabled parking designations and contracts for telecom and public-safety systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on overnight parking, auto shops and scooter clutter; administration offers targeted enforcement and pilot permits

Passaic adopts ordinance tightening retail rules for lithium-ion batteries after fire concerns

Passaic councilors, residents debate R‑1A zoning and a planned high‑rise near the train station

Passaic residents press council over damaged sidewalks and conflicting tree-removal rules

Passaic Council adopts battery safety ordinance and multiple parking, zoning and finance measures