Council advances Florence Place residential parking permit ordinance to second reading after heated public comment

Elmwood Park’s Mayor and Council voted on Sept. 18 to advance Ordinance 25-15 — a one-year trial residential parking-permit proposal affecting the first block of Florence Place — to a second reading following extended public comment from residents and local business owners.

The ordinance, introduced by borough officials, would designate the section of Florence Place from Broadway to Saint Anne Street (about 17 homes) as a trial residential parking area with roughly six spaces reserved near the business end of the block and no fee for permits during the one-year trial. "This is a compromise ordinance," said Michael Foligno, the borough official who explained the measure, adding that the trial would allow the borough to monitor outcomes and return to the council if adjustments are needed.

Why it matters: residents testified the block has become a de facto parking lot for nearby Route 4 businesses, creating double parking, unsafe k-turns, blocked driveways and repeated near-misses involving children. "This overload of cars uses our quiet residential street as a parking lot ... It's a catastrophe waiting to happen," said Jerry Lovoso, a Florence Place resident who said 17 families on the block have signed petitions and filed police reports about the problem. Several other residents described blocked driveways and frequent U-turns that they say place children at risk.

Business owners countered that restricting parking on one block could harm merchants and property values. "To pick on this one street because you have a few noisy wheels complaining ... really will harm the industries in the town," said Ron Ofek, owner of a Broadway business, who also asked whether the borough had conducted a traffic study and warned of potential litigation.

Council debate focused on scope and notice. Councilmember Versacello said he wanted more time to consider alternatives and worried that limiting one block would displace the problem. Councilmember Golubec and others pressed to move the ordinance forward so affected residents could be heard at a public hearing. Councilmember Sampson moved the ordinance forward and the clerk recorded the motion as first by Sampson and second by Tracy. On roll call, Versacello voted no; Councilmembers Kolobek, Sampson, Sheridan, Tracy and Council President Lorraine Pellegreen voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading.

The council agreed to send certified letters to all homes within a 200-foot radius of the proposed zone so those directly affected would receive notice ahead of the public hearing at the second reading. Council members emphasized the proposal is a one-year trial and can be changed if it does not work.

Next steps: the ordinance will return for a second reading and public hearing (the ordinance text as introduced states the final hearing will be on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7:00 p.m., as advertised). Council members said the borough police will continue monitoring the area and the council will consider additional options (including discussions with private parking owners) if needed.