New High School Parking Regulations Are far From Perfect, Township Says

Matthew Hersh

Between two municipalities, one school board, a frustrated student body, and a jaded residential community, it may be hard to agree on many things. But with student parking around Princeton High School causing hassles, headaches, and havoc, everyone agrees on one thing: the newly-enacted parking regulations are far from perfect, but they are, at least, steps toward a more effective solution.

Princeton Township Committee Monday night unanimously approved what has been described as an "imperfect" answer to muddled parking conditions in the high school community. Essentially a companion ordinance to the one approved by Borough Council earlier this month, the measure aims to create more on-street parking for students while ensuring area homeowners fewer headaches caused from trash, noise, and other nuisances that, residents say, some high school students inflict on the neighborhood.

The product of more than four years of work, the parking ordinance stems from the efforts of the so-called ad hoc committee on student parking. Those efforts culminated in a report that that would provide for on-street permit parking on a permanent basis to residents of the neighborhood, on an annual basis to high school students, and on a temporary basis to school faculty until the completion of the new school parking lots.

The ordinance also targets times during which a "high volume" of students and vehicles are in the neighborhood.

That the plan is far from ideal is reflected in recent comments from members of Council, Committee, Princeton Regional School Board and members of the student body.

"While I feel (the ordinance) is not perfect," said Township Committee member Casey Hegener, "I feel it is completely necessary at this point.

"The situation at the high school is intolerable and has been a bad (one) for a long time," she said, adding that the ongoing construction projects have only exacerbated the situation. The ordinance, she said, should not be regarded as a benefit to the high school community, but as a "relief net" for the area.

Even so, the combined Borough and Township ordinances will not provide the kind of relief once envisioned by the parking committee. Initially hoping for about 150 spaces, and then aiming for approximately 90, Officer Geoff Maurer of the Township Police Department said that based on the total amount of space allotted for additional parking, there will only be about 70 extra street spaces made available for students during school hours.

Township law requires 22 feet per parking space for regular-sized, parallel parking, according to Robert Kiser, Township Engineer.

Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand said that she did not want there to be misconceptions about the ordinance.

"We've got to be upfront about what really can happen here, and the schools should be made aware [that] these spaces are not available."

Like Borough Council, Committee decided to enact the ordinance under a probationary proviso. Council's version was officially passed with a sunset stipulation, causing the ordinance to expire on June 30 of next year so it can be reviewed and amended. The Township's version will not automatically expire, but will be reviewed as the efficacy of the new law is gauged.

Walter Bliss, the lone member of the school board in attendance Monday night, said that while he was "concerned" that the targeted parking goals could not be met, all parties involved should still "move forward" with the measure.

"This is really just an experiment," he said, adding that the parking plan is really "the only proposal ever put forth" that didn't sacrifice green space on either the school's playing fields or front lawn. Other plans to increase parking would have paved over school grounds to make way for expanded surface parking.

The Township ordinance will set parking restrictions on the east side of Harris Road from Henry Avenue to the Borough line; the south side of Henry Avenue from Moore Street to Harris Road; the east side of Jefferson Road from the Borough line to Guyot Avenue; the east side of Linden Lane from Henry Avenue to the Borough line; and the west side of Moore Street from the Borough line to Guyot Avenue. Times of enforcement for all roads will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additionally, Township portions on the south sides of Franklin and Guyot Avenues and the east side of Walnut Lane will be off-limits between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m to those who do not have student or resident permits.

The school board will have to pay the Township $10 per permit and subsequently sell them to students. The board has yet to set a price for the sale of the permits. The students will then enroll in a lottery for parking permit acquisition, which will come in the form of car window decals.

Residents will receive permits and two guest placards free of charge.

Final implementation of the parking plan will be determined by a vote from the school board next Tuesday. The board is expected to vote in favor for the proposal.