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Diamond Beach residents press Lower Township on parking, one-way proposal and ParkMobile concerns
Summary
Residents told the council about dangerous parking, a July 4 parking 'chaos,' and doubts that the township’s ParkMobile ordinance was truly rescinded; the mayor and staff said they will pursue a one-way ordinance for Richmond Avenue and directed follow-up on the traffic study.
Several Diamond Beach residents used the public-comment period to press Lower Township officials about parking safety and recent operational changes.
Jim Pomponi, who said he has owned property on Richmond Avenue for 28 years, thanked crews for recent repaving but urged the council to paint yellow driveway lines and convert Richmond Avenue to one-way. "We need to make that street 1 way. It's not wide enough for 2 way traffic," he said, describing a recent incident in which a police car could not make a left turn because the street was blocked.
Joe Scaffidi reinforced Pomponi’s safety concerns, thanking the council for addressing the issue and urging continued attention.
Residents also questioned the status of ParkMobile operations in Diamond Beach. Cindy Ricciardi said she had tried to obtain the traffic study that was cited during the meeting when the ordinance was rescinded but had been unable to get it. "I've been trying to get that traffic study and have not been able to get it," Ricciardi said. Moderator (speaker 4) directed her to speak offline with Mister Raffi for access and said public comment is not a question-and-answer period.
Lisa Heckman described chaos during the July 4 weekend, saying parking spots were confusing and that homeowners should not be required to pay to park in front of their homes: "I don't know if anybody drove through Diamond Beach on July 4, but it was complete chaos." She asked the council to address parking-striping and to consider relief for local property owners if ParkMobile is implemented again.
Council and staff responses indicated the township will follow up: the moderator said an ordinance to consider converting Richmond Avenue to one-way is expected to be introduced at the next meeting, and staff were asked to provide guidance on accessing the traffic study and to continue communication with residents.
The discussion produced no immediate policy change on ParkMobile; residents were told to pursue follow-up with staff and the manager for documentation and next steps.
