The Deal Board of Commissioners will meet on Wednesday morning, July 27 at 9 a.m. to open for public discussion Ordinance #134 requiring parking permits for those looking to use the public beaches.
As spotlighted on TheFisherman.com on June 28, 2016, the Borough of Deal is looking to issue permits for parking on Hathaway, Neptune, Sydney and Monmouth Drive on one side of the street. At the commissioners’ meeting in June, Mayor Sam Cohen and the three-member governing body expressed their intent to officially “table” the parking ordinance in an effort to “further study” the proposal.
However, the only way to officially table an ordinance is to have it introduced which is expected to happen on Wednesday morning.
In October of 2015, the borough of Deal attempted to fast-track a town ordinance that would have restricted parking on six streets nearest the beach to residents only, and only after permits were issued to display in vehicles. As noted in an October 7, 2015 update at TheFisherman.com, the plan was tabled in advance of the public meeting. When the town originally discussed plans restrict parking on borough roads to residents only, it caused quite the firestorm within the local fishing community, especially on the heals of a $40 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project completely paid for by the federal government and U.S. taxpayers.
After the borough tabled its original plans in October, NJDEP spokesman Bob Considine told the Associated Press, "We have concerns (that) it may impact public access, and it could conflict with the agreement signed with the U.S. Army Corps project. We also simply want to ensure that we work toward providing more public access and not limiting access."
Wednesday’s meeting will be held at Borough Hall, 190 Norwood Avenue in Deal at 9 a.m. It is of course open to the public. For more information go to www.dealborough.com.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – On Wednesday, July 27, At the July 27th commissioners’ meeting, Mayor Sam Cohen said borough officials agreed to officially table the parking proposal "until further study.")
