Point Beach Non-Binding Parking Referendum Fails

A non-binding referendum to restrict overnight parking in Point Beach narrowly failed by a vote of 795 to 728.

The referendum was a way to gauge public opinion, but does not require the mayor and council to drop the idea of imposing parking restrictions. The governing body could still establish an overnight parking restriction, could modify the proposal or could do nothing.

The proposal calls for local households to each get five, free parking passes to allow them to park on residential streets from midnight to 8 a.m.

Those without passes would not be able to park on residential streets during those hours.

The idea is that visitors will park in lots or at meters and not on residential streets to avoid getting tickets.

It remains to be seen whether the present council, will decide to impose any parking restrictions.

Councilman Michael Corbally had proposed the referendum in response to numerous complaints from residents in District 4, near the beach and busy boardwalk area, that day trippers and bar patrons were causing disruptions as they walked to their parked cars on residential streets all summer.



The proposal for the referendum barely passed council and has been highly controversial, with opponents saying it would inconvenience boardwalk customers and employees and may unfairly limit the number of guests residents can have visiting at their homes.