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Ridgewood proposes permit‑only weekday rules and higher fines for Station Plaza commuter lot
Summary
Sergeant Ray Torino proposed simplifying Station Plaza into a commuter permit lot, clearer signage, a higher penalty for violators (around $50), and opening unused spots to the public after 3 p.m.; council members asked for business outreach and said an ordinance change — effective February — will be required.
Sergeant Ray Torino of the Ridgewood Police Department told the council the commuter lot at Station Plaza is frequently misused and that simplified rules, clearer signage and a stronger penalty will reduce confusion and protect paid permit holders.
"So really what we're trying to do is eliminate the confusion, make it a commuter lot," Torino said, proposing a permit‑parking only rule that would allow non‑permit parking only when open spots exist and that would open the lot to general paid parking starting at 3 p.m. on weekdays with a five‑hour maximum; Saturday usage would remain subject to meter rules and is rarely filled, Torino added. He suggested raising penalties for improper parking into the approximately $50 range to discourage people "rolling the dice" to avoid paying for a permit.
Council members debated whether to start general use at noon instead of 3 p.m. to serve lunchtime shoppers and small businesses on the West Side; staff said additional layers of signage would complicate enforcement and that the 3 p.m. start better aligned with when spots typically become available. Staff and the manager said the change will require an ordinance amendment and is expected to take effect in February. Council members asked staff to consult downtown businesses and to include potential 15‑minute space adjustments in the broader Walker parking and wayfinding study scheduled after the holidays.
Separately, the police and engineering teams recommended a pilot mid‑block crosswalk near Tate Bakery to shorten pedestrian crossings and improve safety; the council supported testing the temporary bump‑out during the holidays and evaluating results for possible permanent construction in the spring resurfacing bid specifications.
