Kearny adopts ordinance limiting commercial overnight parking; residents press town on permit rollout and enforcement

The Town of Kearny on April 22 adopted ordinance 25-0-15, an amendment to Chapter 7 that tightens rules on parking of commercial vehicles and clarifies how moving vans will be handled. Councilman Jerry Fasito moved the adoption; Councilwoman DeCastro seconded. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote: yes — Decastro, Facido, Theodoropoulos, Esteeves, Rodriguez, Mayor Doyle; no — Zapata, Solano.

Why it matters: the ordinance change removes an exemption that previously allowed some commercial vehicles — notably moving vans left on the street overnight — to escape enforcement and gives police and public-works staff a clearer enforcement path. The change arrives as the town begins a phased rollout of resident permit parking in parts of Sanford Avenue, Ogden and Anne Street and other nearby blocks.

What the ordinance and council said The ordinance removes language that had allowed certain commercial vehicles to be treated differently when they were “rendering services.” Police and administration staff said the prior language had been abused by businesses that left U-Haul trucks and other commercial vehicles on streets overnight. Police Chief Susan (no last name given) told the council that residents should obtain DPW permits in advance for pods or overnight containers and that, in trailing cases, the police can grant a one-night courtesy if a resident runs late.

Roll call and enforcement detail The ordinance was adopted by roll call after a public hearing. A council member recorded the vote as: Decastro — yes; Fasito — yes; Zapata — no; Theodoropoulos — yes; Solano — no; Esteeves — yes; Rodriguez — yes; Mayor Doyle — yes. The meeting record shows the motion to adopt was moved by Fasito and seconded by DeCastro.

Resident concerns and permit rollout Councilwoman DeCastro described the initial permit rollout for Sanford Avenue municipal-permitted spaces, saying signs went up the day of the meeting and that drilling for new sign poles will start soon. She said applications are available at the town clerk’s office and thanked the police, DPW and other staff for coordinating the program.

Several residents used the public-comment period to press the council on clarity, enforcement and access. One resident described repeated tickets on Chestnut Street and asked how visitor parking would work for relatives staying for weeks; staff responded that the Sanford-area permit spaces are for Kearny residents and that visitors will need to use nearby streets or driveways. Another resident said commercial vehicles and private businesses parking multiple cars on residential blocks had made spaces scarce.

Process changes and operational details - DPW will issue numbered no-parking signs and permit paperwork; police will record sign issuance to prevent misuse, the chief said. The council agreed that contractors and movers should secure permits in advance through DPW and that an overnight courtesy can be granted by police for unanticipated delays. - The town reported that municipal parking spaces at 60 Columbia Avenue (Henrietta Benstead area) have available spots and that other nearby lots could provide relief to impacted residents. - Sanford-area work is under active construction in phases; staff said the current phase will last about 20 working days from Harrison north and that signs for “no parking” are posted 48 hours before work begins.

Ending note Council members asked staff to improve public notice and to follow up individually with residents who described hardship. The council adopted the ordinance and directed staff to continue the staged permit rollout and sign installation.