Clark Township council adopts two Poplar Terrace parking ordinances

Clark Township Council on March 16 adopted two ordinances aimed at easing parking pressure on Poplar Terrace, after the mayor and residents raised concerns about employees using street parking in a mixed commercial-residential area.

Council President Smith opened a public hearing on Ordinance 26-10, which amends the township code to establish two-hour parking on portions of Poplar Terrace. No members of the public spoke. Councilman O'Connor moved to close the hearing and to adopt the ordinance; Council member Toll seconded. The clerk called the roll and the measure was adopted unanimously.

Council then opened and closed the public hearing on Ordinance 26-11, which designates portions of Poplar Terrace as resident-only parking. Councilman O'Connor moved to adopt Ordinance 26-11 and Council member Toll seconded; the council again approved the ordinance by unanimous roll-call vote.

Mayor Albanese and Councilman O'Connor said the changes respond to complaints from residents about employees parking on neighborhood streets. O'Connor noted that the property at 1150 Raritan Road had leased parking spaces from a nearby Friendly's, which should alleviate daytime employee parking that previously displaced residents.

Both ordinances take effect as provided by the township code. The council did not receive public opposition during the hearings; enforcement details and signage placement were not specified at the meeting and will follow standard municipal implementation procedures.

The council adopted the measures in a single meeting; further administrative steps (signage, enforcement timing) will be handled by township staff.