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Council gives first passage to expanded resident‑permit parking on parts of Essex and North Streets after long public comment
Summary
After extended public testimony and debate, the Salem City Council gave first passage (as amended) to ordinances adding specific Essex and North Street addresses to resident parking permit zones; Councilor Smith sponsored the changes and the motion carried with an amendment removing several addresses.
The Salem City Council, following nearly two hours of public testimony, voted on first passage May 28 to amend the traffic ordinance (Chapter 42, Section 75) to add particular addresses on Essex Street and a unit‑level addition on North Street to the resident permit system. Councilor Smith sponsored the ordinances and guided a line‑by‑line discussion.
Residents from the affected blocks were the meeting’s most persistent commenters. Carol Carr, a River Street resident since 1973, said she has no off‑street parking and warned that piecemeal exceptions would create a “domino effect” that undermines the ordinance. Cindy Johnson and Justin Whittier raised legal and fairness concerns, with Whittier asking that the council refer the proposal to committee to allow fuller neighborhood discussion.
Councilor Smith said he had worked on the draft for five months and that the city solicitor, traffic and parking department, transportation commission and police had reviewed it. During council debate Smith offered and the council adopted an amendment striking several addresses (365, 373, 377 and 387 Essex Street) and keeping 389; after amendment the ordinance passed first passage.
What the first passage does and what comes next The action places the listed addresses into the resident permit zone lists so qualified residents can apply for resident permits (the amended ordinance also states no visitor passes will be issued for specified units). First passage sends the ordinance forward for the required second reading and final adoption procedures; implementation and exact permit limits remain subject to Transportation/Traffic Department rules.
Key quotes "If you make exceptions for one property, then someone else will request an exception…You are setting a dangerous precedent," said Carol Carr, opposing the expansion.
"These are folks who live in the neighborhood and are looking for neighborhood parking," Councilor Smith said in urging adoption of the amended ordinance.
Details and context Council discussion referenced updated resident‑parking criteria developed earlier in the year and noted the Transportation Commission had reviewed the matter. Councilors emphasized that adding addresses is a tool to accommodate residents who lack off‑street parking while trying to preserve library and church access in the area. The ordinance passed first passage as amended; a subsequent meeting will record second passage or finalize the item.
