Restaurant owner asks Perth Amboy officials for dedicated loading zone for 20-foot trucks

Victor, a restaurant owner who identified himself at the public-comment podium, asked Perth Amboy officials to establish a loading zone near his business at 216 Toll Avenue to accommodate frequent deliveries and reduce double-parking.

Victor told the council his business has grown “over about a year and a half,” that deliveries often arrive in the afternoon and that he uses “a 20 foot truck.” He said clusters of three or four large delivery vehicles sometimes block curb space near nearby schools and that drivers receive tickets when they double-park.

City staff described the permit review and safety checks that must precede any formal designation. A city official said, “The first thing is the background check on the individual themselves,” and that vehicle inspections — coordinated with the fire department for roadworthiness and safety — follow background checks. Staff also noted that snow delayed site surveys and that exact sign placement can shift depending on vehicle size and neighborhood conditions.

Officials told the speaker that loading-zone requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis under the city ordinance and that the police department must sign off before a permit is issued. Staff cautioned that a permitted ‘spot’ refers to the zone area rather than one identical pavement mark every year: the selected stall could move within the permitted area to accommodate safety and other uses.

The speaker and council members discussed hours and days for a potential loading zone; Victor said deliveries most often come in the afternoon (around 2 p.m.) and asked for a window to cover peak delivery times. City staff asked the applicant to specify days and times on the application; the transcript shows confusion about AM/PM hour fields on the form and staff asked the applicant to confirm the requested schedule.

Next steps: city staff said inspections and police review remained outstanding and expected to complete the process following site surveys. The council asked staff to follow up with the applicant to confirm days and delivery windows and to report back on the permit status once inspections are finished.

Ending: The council did not take an immediate vote; staff committed to completing the outstanding checks and to advising the applicant of the next procedural steps.