At Monday’s forum about residential parking permits, the hottest topic of discussion was which Brooklyn neighborhoods would be included in the program. According to reports on Streetsblog and Brooklyn Streets, Carroll Gardens, people from some neighborhoods charged that the current plan (which for the most part only covers areas close to Downtown, as per the map based on an an ’04 study above) would cause too much traffic and jostling for spots in un-permitted neighborhoods. A representative from the DOT, however, said that RPP would be available for a number of neighborhoods on an opt-in basis. Councilman de Blasio (other politicians in attendance included Councilman Yassky and Councilwoman James) floated an idea for placing RPPs all over the city near subway lines, therefore discouraging drivers from park-and-ride behavior. A pilot RPP program could go into effect as early as spring 2009, though that target date hinges on the congestion pricing timetable.
DOT: Relax Brooklyn, Parking Permits Not Just for Downtown [Streetsblog]
RPP Forum Wrap-Up [BSCG]
Downtown Brooklyn RPP Study [Brooklyn Chamber