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Union City council discusses license-plate readers and parking-ordinance changes; zoning amendments deferred
Summary
Council discussed proposed changes to the parking ordinance for Municipal Lot #2 and heard that license plate readers can capture video and search plates nationwide; Council deferred decisions on parking and zoning amendments (small games of chance and allowing pools on adjoining vacant lots) until the solicitor can attend.
During the June 25 meeting, Union City Borough Council revisited proposed amendments to the parking ordinance affecting front-end parking in Municipal Lot No. 2 and considered related law-enforcement tools.
Police Chief David Pernice described license plate readers (LPRs) used by the department, noting the system can store videos and search plates to assist investigations across jurisdictions. The chief said LPR capability improves investigative reach; councilors asked Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips to review angled parking layouts for Municipal Lot No. 2. The council decided to defer action on the parking-ordinance changes until the solicitor can provide written input.
Council also briefly discussed proposed zoning-ordinance changes related to small games of chance and allowing pools in vacant adjoining lots; the council postponed further discussion until the solicitor is present.
Why it matters: License plate reader technology raises operational and privacy considerations when tied to an ordinance change that would alter parking patterns; deferring both parking and zoning amendments means the solicitor’s legal guidance will inform next steps.
What happens next: Council will revisit the parking-ordinance amendment and the zoning changes at a future meeting when the solicitor is in attendance; Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips was asked to evaluate the lot layout and angled-parking feasibility.
