Daily News opposes residential parking permits, but would consider an Atlantic Yards exception

In an editorial this morning headlined City council parking permits might turn out to be ‘hunting licenses’ that impose a fee for what is now free, if annoying, the Daily News came out against residential parking permits (RPP) for pretty much the same reasons the Department of Transportation (DOT) is wary, but allowed for an exception:

In very limited cases, something like neighborhood permits might make sense: as in the immediate orbit of huge arenas like Yankee Stadium and the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which will get flooded with cars on game nights. The city Transportation Department is studying the feasibility of reserving some curbs in those areas for residents and expects to have the results, including pros and cons, in January. Never mind, we can’t wait, says the City Council — which has passed a home-rule message asking Albany for permission to make the change.

Will Albany agree? Not if Republicans like Brooklyn Sen. Marty Golden have their way.

Unwilling to help?

NoLandGrab's Eric McClure wrote:

How's this for the height of arrogance: State Senator Marty Golden and City Councilmember Lew Fidler shilled for Atlantic Yards though it's miles from their districts, yet they oppose a measure that might provide a little bit of relief to the people who will bear the burden of the traffic the arena will generate.

Fidler did tell The Brooklyn Politics:

Fidler pointed out that Bed-Stuy Councilman Al Vann, who represents areas near the Atlantic Yards project, also voted against the bill. “The most telling vote was Al Vann,” he said. “The words on the record were, ‘I represent the communities that are adjacent to the communities that are next to the arena.’”

That's not an illegitimate concern, though if the DOT has its way, it may limit residential parking permits to a rather narrow area.

But anyone opposing RPP around crowd magnets like sports facilities has to come up with a better plan, not just say no.