North Haledon adopts ordinance banning underground and public garages; one councilman dissents

The Borough of North Haledon council adopted Ordinance #12-2022 on second and final reading on May 18, 2022, amending Chapter 600 to prohibit garages built into basements or under terraces and to forbid public garages. The measure passed with a 5–1 roll-call vote; Council Member Bruce O. Iacobelli cast the sole no vote.

The ordinance text states that “within any district, no garage shall be built into a basement or under a terrace” and that “underground parking shall be prohibited.” It also adds that no garage may be built at grade level where parking spaces are covered by the ground floor of a building. The Clerk presented the ordinance and Council Member Donna Puglisi moved its adoption; Rocco Luisi seconded the motion.

Council did not receive public comment on the ordinance; the floor was opened and closed without speakers. The council’s minutes record no amendment to the text during the May 18 session. The ordinance will take effect upon final passage and publication as required by law.

The council’s action follows standard municipal ordinance procedure: the Clerk presented the ordinance by title, the governing body waived full reading, and members voted on final adoption. Council Member Iacobelli’s negative vote was recorded but the minutes do not specify his rationale. The council’s formal action concludes the item unless a legal challenge or further legislative action is filed.

The council’s meeting minutes list the ordinance under Chapter 600, Article XIV of the borough code and include the standard severability clause stating that if any provision is held invalid by a court, the remainder remains effective.