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Neighbors and Regency Walk raise safety alarms over High Street parking as new development moves forward
Summary
A resident presentation and public comments flagged narrow High Street and estimated parking demand from the 15 High Street (Regency) development as a potential emergency-access problem; the borough engineer will review the traffic study and the council said it will check legal constraints before changing parking rules.
Residents and a Regency Walk representative told the Helmetta mayor and council in May and June that planned residential development at 15 High Street and existing parked vehicles are creating a safety risk on the borough's narrow High Street.
At the May 20 meeting, neighborhood presenter Charlie Pistor reviewed street widths, vehicle sizes and projected parking demand tied to the 70-unit 15 High Street project. Pistor said the developer-proposed 137 parking spaces could nevertheless leave vehicles on the street and argued that even a single parked vehicle can block two-way passage for emergency apparatus on a street that in many sections measures around 20 feet across. Pistor recommended a permanent no-parking rule on both sides of High Street to preserve emergency access.
Regency Walk Homeowners Association President Rocco DeSantis told the council construction vehicles now routinely back into his complex and called the situation a safety issue for his community. The council recorded that the Borough attorney had received a letter from Regency's counsel; Borough Attorney Sandra Graise said the Borough's engineer is reviewing the traffic study performed before the development's approval.
Council responses: Mayor Slavicek and Councilman Reid (a former fire chief) said emergency responders need unimpeded access; Reid said the department would work to make response practical within the approved plan but would not agree to measures that would compromise safety. Council President Karczewski said he would follow up with police about overnight parking by a flatbed truck (residents raised this specific vehicle as an obstruction). The Borough attorney cautioned that before the council adopts parking restrictions it must first confirm any limitations in the project's approval or court decisions.
Next steps: The Borough engineer will review the traffic study and the council will examine any legal constraints tied to the project's approval before proposing parking regulation changes. Residents asked the council to pursue signage and enforcement within the next 6–12 months to avoid a traffic- or emergency-safety incident.
