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Proposed changes to the city’s permit parking guidelines were unveiled Monday by newly appointed City Manager Michael Capabianco. Among them were the expected price increases and the amount of residential permits available for each home.

While one residedential permit at an annual rate of $120 will be granted per household, if a residence is without off-street parking [a garage or driveway], a second permit can be obtained for $150, said Capabianco [shown at right].

Residence living in the North Beach, Wesley Grove and South Beach areas [Zones 1, 2, and 3 respectively] can obtain up to two additional permits, increasing their allowable permits total to four per household.

“In such cases of extenuating circumstances for residences that have additional resident drivers with cars up to two additional permits can be awarded,” Capabianco said.

A third permit will cost $180 per year and a fourth will be $210 per year, he said.

The number of available residential permits will increase throughout Zones 1, 2, and 3, Capabaianco said.

And, at the Bangs Avenue garage [at right] permit parking will be $75 per month for an assigned space. The city currently offers free parking from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In the remainder of Central Business District [Zone 4] residents with access to one off-street parking spot are limited to one permit per dwelling. Those without access to off-street parking are limited to two permits per dwelling at the aforementioned rates.

There are no increases in the amount of available permits in this zone.

Capabianco said the committee’s recommendation move away from the previously reported suggest parking consultant $1,200 rate.

“These are below market rate,” Capabianco said.

Parking permits came to the forefront this year after a March parking study conducted by Manhattan-based Desman Associates, the city’s parking consultant, revealed there were not enough available spaces to accommodate the permits issued.

The City Council voted to immediately suspend guest parking permits and began work to vet the parking study recommendations.

In looking to base metered pricing rates on demand, the peak season will be defined as May 15 through Sept. 15 with the remainder of the year falling into the off peak category, he said.

“The most important aspect is that the committee felt their needed to be some component of demand pricing,” Capabianco said. “It will create demand parking pricing so the prices can go up or down or stay the same [based on need].”

Employee parking permit – which uses preprogramed smart cards – will be purchased on a monthly basis, with proof of employment required. There are no caps on the number of these available permits.

Out of city residents who work within the city limits can purchase a five-day, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday smartcard for $140 per year. A seven day smartcard for 9 a.m. to midnight is available for $180 per year.

“I want to thank everyone on the parking Committee for their time and effort on this,” Capabianco said.  “I know how much work they have done on this – it was an astronomical amount of work.”

Full details, including a map of the zones will be posted on the city’s web site.

Changes to the Parking Permit guidelines will be introduced as an ordinance during the City Council’s Dec. 23 meeting. A final hearing to allow members of the public to ask questions and make comments prior to a final vote will be held on January 13, with the 2016 Parking Permits on sale starting January 15 and in effect beginning Feb. 1.

Capabianco said the committee’s next steps will be ‘recommendation of who to manage and how to manage’ the parking utility.

For more information, visit the Asbury Park municipal website.

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