Officials Make Final Decisions On Implementing PHS Parking Plan

Candace Braun

Plans are moving ahead for student parking at Princeton High School, as Board members met with students, faculty and parents yesterday to brainstorm the best way to handle the distribution of parking permits for students who drive to school.

Signs for permit parking are already displayed on roads around the high school, although the plan is not expected to be implemented until September 13, the first Monday after the start of school.

With a senior class of 271 students, and only 70 parking spaces available, the Princeton Regional School Board has decided that the fairest way to distribute permits would be through a lottery.

However, it is likely that some students will not be eligible for permits, according to Board President Anne Burns, who suggested mapping out a geographic square of nearby residences to establish which residents won't be qualified for a permit.

Before passing the Borough's parking ordinance 5 to 1, with one abstention, at the August 24 Board meeting, both residents and Board members voiced concerns on how the parking system should be implemented.

The Township's ordinance, which was passed by the Committee on August 16, did not require third-party approval, whereas the Borough required final approval from the Board.

Board member Joshua Leinsdorf, who voted against the parking plan, said that he felt the system was not a decision that the Board had a right to make.

"We have no power over the public streets. We shouldn't be involved in [a parking plan] in any way," he said.

Mr. Leinsdorf added that there isn't a fair way to decide who should be eligible for a parking permit: "A rich kid with a BMW convertible ... has the same chance at a permit as the kid who really has to work to help support his family."

Concerns such as this led the Board to agree to Tuesday's meeting with Princeton representatives, including high school students, faculty, and parents, to decide which students should be eligible to receive a permit.

Board member Walter Bliss said that as a Moore Street resident he is on both sides of the issue. He wants non-restrictive parking around the high school, but he also wants to resolve the parking problem for students. In the end he decided to vote in favor of the parking plan.

"This is better than the status quo because it guarantees 70 spots to the students that they don't have now," said Mr. Bliss. "By voting for this we are saying that we are committed to trying to make this work."

Bob James, a Borough resident, told the Board he didn't want the streets to be restricted to permits until 6 p.m., as parents, coaches, and athletes who need to park near athletic fields for games will be unable to find spaces.

"You're talking about a lot of people for a lot of events that will occur simultaneously," he said.

While Mr. Bliss pointed out that the permits will only be valid between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the parts of Walnut Lane and Guyot Avenue closest to the high school, Ms. Burns said that changes will be made to the plan as problems arise.

"We certainly support ending that restriction earlier," she said. "It's a work in progress and it's going to be tweaked."

Once a decision is made on how the lottery should be handled, a letter with information on the application process will be sent out to all seniors. Students will then be allowed to apply for a permit on September 9, the first day of school.

On September 10, students will be selected for the permits, and on the following Monday, the permit plan will be implemented.

Students with suggestions or concerns with the permit parking plan are encouraged to contact Principal Gary Snyder at (609) 806-4280.