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Kearny council discusses parking permits, Sanford Avenue lot and curb-cut approvals amid resident concerns
Summary
Council members and staff reviewed overnight parking permit availability, a newly allotted Sanford Avenue lot permit pool, and the town’s curb‑cut approval process. Residents pressed for clearer online agendas, more transparency on lot lotteries and stronger scrutiny of curb cuts tied to increased housing density.
Council members and staff used the meeting to update the public on several parking issues, including newly available overnight permit spaces, a municipal lot allocation on Sanford Avenue, and the process the town follows to approve curb cuts tied to new driveways and conversions.
Council reported that several municipal parking lots have open spaces and that a pocket lot near Sanford Avenue will reserve 21 spaces, with a 35‑day application and lottery process for Kearny residents. Staff said the town will notify residents and run a lottery to allocate those spaces; the council moved to approve the permit program details as part of the consent agenda (see resolutions listing in meeting packet). The town also noted newly paved municipal lots and additional overnight parking options at Henrietta Bensitt Senior Center and Ferry Lake Pond (Davis and Duke lot).
During public comment, resident Gary Shatwick asked how people are selected when new spaces open after the initial lottery and whether the town’s agendas are posted early enough for public review. A staff member (Pat) explained that the town calls the next names on the wait list when permits become available. Gary Pressed for more transparent online posting of agendas and said earlier access would improve public participation.
The council and staff discussed curb cuts and driveway approvals. Town engineer Michael Ineglia explained the current practice: applicants submit a curb‐cut application to the construction office, which is reviewed by staff and referred to the ward councilmember for comment before the mayor and council consider approval. The council said they sometimes deny curb-cut requests for reasons such as unsafe sight lines or proximity to intersection features. Residents raised concerns that curb cuts can enable greater household densities and remove curb parking; council members said the upcoming comprehensive zoning update will address broader policy questions about density and street parking.
Councilmembers encouraged residents to use the application process and to raise concerns during ward reviews; they also said the parking committee will continue to study ways to optimize municipal lot utilization, including possible shared-use approaches and better enforcement of reserved spots. Council members reiterated that residents should buy and use allotted permits so lots do not sit underused.
Several parking and curb-cut resolutions were included on the consent agenda and approved by the council; the meeting record shows no formal objections during the consent vote. Staff said postings and the public-facing schedule would be improved in coming days.
