By Damian J. Troise
The meters would be positioned on the Summit Avenue side of the park, across from the Long Island Rail Road station and neighboring apartment buildings.
Anywhere from 17 to 20 parking meters could be installed, depending on the amount of space, according to Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise. The meters would most likely have a two-hour time limit.
Several residents, many of whom live on Summit Avenue and attended a Monday, July 1 meeting of the village board, said the planning for this project was all wrong because it was done without consulting the community. Also, they asked whether there was a need for extra parking when the majority of residents are within walking distance of the park.
I don't find that it's appropriate to put parking where children play, said Debra Spier, a village resident, at the July 1 meeting.
Cedarhurst residents voiced worries over creating more parking directly next to a playground.
I can't see how it's not a problem to put parking there, said Patricia Boland.
Boland is concerned over children running or playing in-between parked cars.
Though the parking would be placed directly next to the park, the playground is fenced in, responded Ronald Lanzilotta, a board trustee.
Motorists would park there whether or not there are parking meters, said Parise. With short-term meters, motorists would be limited in the amount of time they could park.
We're doing what is best for the entire village, the mayor said.
Parise also cited the need for extra spaces to accommodate shoppers.
The park is somewhat removed from the downtown district, so I don't see it having any effect, said Norman Steen, executive director of the Cedarhurst Business Improvement District.
Several residents questioned whether the motivation for installing new meters dealt with revenue.
For us to be making money and putting the children's welfare at risk is unnecessary, said Rachel Brouckerstein, another village resident.
The board stated they did not see any new safety problems arising from new meters. The board is conducting a traffic study in the area, according to Parise.
