Squadron, Millman Herald City Council Home Rule Message to Allow Residential Parking Permits

Senator, Assemblymember Call on State to Pass Legislation, Give Communities Choice

NEW YORK – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblymember Joan Millman heralded City Council committee passage of a 'home rule message' to allow New York State to move forward with legislation that authorizes residential parking permits in the city. 

Senator Squadron and Assemblymember Millman sponsor the legislation, which would address increasingly prohibitive parking for residents while easing traffic congestion, pedestrian hazards, and air and noise pollution, and protecting small businesses.

“A permit system is long overdue in neighborhoods where residents spend hours circling for parking near their homes,” said Senator Squadron. “This legislation empowers communities that want parking permits while protecting small businesses, reducing congestion and helping fund our subways and buses. It’s a win for communities, a win for quality of life, and a win for New York. Thank you to Speaker Quinn, Chair Foster, and Council Member Levin for moving this forward. Now, the state must pass this bill -- and give communities real choice.”

“I introduced this bill in 2008 as a response to the concerns expressed by downtown Brooklyn residents,” said Assemblymember Millman. “Increased commercial activity, expansion of popular local schools of higher education and access to all major subway lines have forced daily commuters and local residents to vie for a very limited number of on-street parking spaces.  Today’s City Council hearing will go a long way in persuading many of our colleagues to take a serious look at this legislation. A residential parking permit system will reduce congestion in already crowded neighborhoods and lessen the effect of both air and noise pollution.”

Commuters often park and take public transportation from neighborhoods around the city, including Downtown Brooklyn. In fact, a study by the Downtown Brooklyn Council found that more than 40 percent of on-street parked vehicles in Downtown Brooklyn are commuter cars.

This legislation gives communities the choice to allow residential parking permits (RPP) on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.

• On streets with RPP, at least 20 percent of spots would be open for non-permit parking. 
• The permits would directly fund the upgrading and improvement of NYC subways and buses, providing much-needed revenue for New York’s transit system.
• RPP would not be allowed on commercial streets. Spaces with meters and other restrictions could not be affected by RPP.
• Public hearings would be required before implementation of RPP in a neighborhood.

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Media Contact: Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565