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Regency Walk residents urge Helmetta to limit parking on High Street over emergency-access fears
Summary
Residents and the Regency Walk HOA told the council that a proposed 70-unit project at 15 High Street and its parking plan could obstruct emergency access and worsen congestion on a narrow historic street; the council said it will review language in the county approval and consult police and fire officials.
Residents of Regency Walk and neighbors presented technical calculations to the Helmetta Mayor and Council on May 20 arguing that planned redevelopment near 15 High Street will strain parking and potentially block emergency vehicles.
"Most of High Street is too narrow for any number density of today's vehicles," said Charlie Pistor, summarizing an engineering-style presentation that cited historical cartway widths, vehicle dimensions and a projected count of roughly 105–140 cars tied to a 70-unit development. Pistor urged the council to consider a no-parking policy along the length of High Street to preserve emergency access and recommended signage be installed within six to 12 months before the complex is occupied.
Rocco DeSantis, president of the Regency Walk HOA, told the council that construction vehicles are regularly backing into the complex because they cannot get down High Street. He and other residents worried that on-street parking associated with the new center will slow or block first responders. Pistor said he reviewed appeal records and found that the developer’s proposal was denied by the Helmetta Planning Board and later approved on appeal at the county level; residents said the borough lacked an expert witness on parking during the appeal.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and described the limits of local control after a county appellate decision. "Since the decision was made by the County, before we are adopting any parking ordinances or amending any Borough laws, we need to first make sure that there is not any language in the agreement that would prohibit this," Borough Attorney Sandra Graise said. Council President Karczewski said he would follow up with the police chief about specific overnight- parking citations cited by a resident and Councilman Reid, who noted his experience as a former fire chief, said the fire department would work to ensure safety.
Why it matters: residents say blocked access could delay emergency response and reduce safety for the existing neighborhood. The council said it will examine the county approval language and consult municipal emergency services and police before pursuing local traffic controls.
No ordinance or parking restriction was adopted at the meeting; council members asked residents to provide specific documents (including the unsigned fire-department letter Pistor referenced) and pledged follow-up.
