Events of the week have left me feeling out of sorts. Despite that, I will try to post some thoughts.
Taxi Ordinance
Because all my health providers have moved out of Plainfield and I gave up driving a while ago, I rely on taxis to get to their offices. Ironically, most were on Park Avenue and are still on Park Avenue, just further down. It cost me $30 in taxi fare to get to the dentist who used to be in the 1000 block, but is now in the 3800 block in North Edison. I call the same Plainfield taxi company to take me there and pick me up later. The same goes for the doctor's office in South Plainfield on Park Avenue ($20 round trip) and the surgeon in Edison and the medical lab ($30 each). If those towns had an ordinance restricting out-of-town pickup, I would have a big problem.
It is a fact of life for many Plainfielders that they must use taxis to go shopping, visit medical offices or just get together with friends. The economic battle between licensed Plainfield drivers and out-of-town taxi companies is unfortunate and complicated. If increasing the number of licenses would help, maybe it should be tried before going to the extreme of ejecting passengers and towing at the owner's expense. Some commenters suspect the matter hinges on political donations, which I hope is not true. There must be a common-sense solution that will be fair to all the taxi companies as well as to the hundreds of customers that need taxis. I think those who called for more time to study the situation have a point.
No Overnight Parking on Certain Streets
As I understood this discussion item Monday, some landlords are not permitting parking on the premises, forcing people to park on the street. The vehicles then get in the way of street cleaners and snow plows or otherwise interfere with use of the streets.
At some point, any multi-family residential building was required to provide parking. New landlords may try to monetize parking, but is it legal? Each landlord is supposed to file contact information with the city. These documents used to be on file in the City Clerk's office. Probably the original requirements are lost in storage somewhere, but just by the number and type of units there should be a minimum number of parking spaces that can be calculated. Multi-family owners could be made aware of the parking requirement rather than leaving the poor car owner to be tossed back and forth between the city and landlord over parking. Here again there is a perception that landlords can sometimes do what they want if they pay tribute politically, but what about the tenant who lives here and votes?
Collegiality
Elected officials who badger professionals at council meetings and fight with colleagues on camera may think they are showing strength, but the public by and large is sick of the drama. Sure, they can get a few whoops and murmurs from their buddies, but those who choose to put on a show do little for the image of Plainfield. All members of the governing body should be considerate to each other.
Spring Ahead
This weekend we go back to Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. Saturday. One big nor'easter may hit us on Tuesday and then maybe we can head into Spring on March 20. I for one will be very happy to get out in the yard and welcome the season. It is also the date of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, a holiday observed by many nations and cultures that was also celebrated at the White House annually during the Obama administration. Look it up, it's interesting, though probably not going to be at the White House this year.
--Bernice
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Bernice, one word, Uber. Much more reliable and certainly cheaper.
ReplyDeleteNo overnight parking is a good sound idea that should be enforced allowing for the City of provide regular street cleaning. Many streets in the Crescent Area Historic District and to a lesser degree Van Wyck Brooks are filthy and littered with a leaves and trash due to greedy landlords. Landlords are suppose to provide off street parking for the tenants at no charge. If not this item needs to be included in the City's municipal ordinance. Furthermore the Plainfield Zoning Board of Adjustment should not be so quick to grant variances for parking on conversions and new development projects.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I appreciate all that the Zoning Board does, however If I can make a small suggestion, I would say that they should find their own voice and not try and mimic the Planning Board and approve everything under the sun (no offense to the PB of course!). I feel variances for parking in and around the train stations is fine, but not in largely two- and three- family areas, as the demand for parking is already stacked to the hilt. Developers should be penalized for developing in non-redevelopment areas through parking. Put the issue of parking on them and force it, or the project should be denied.
ReplyDeleteJust a friendly suggestion.
Anon 9:11 - I think you may be confused between the ZB and the PB. Also, just to make it clear "developers should be penalized for developing in non-redevelopment areas..." makes no sense. If a developer completes a project they were approved by the city for the project. However, the city doesn't allow multi-family properties to be filled beyond normal capacity - those are illegal and I understand that the city is working to address this issue. I give them credit because it isn't an easy undertaking and certainly won't happen as quickly as many would like.
DeleteYou might be able to do that South Plainfield run on the 819 bus. I've used that for various trips to Edison and South Plainfield. In regards to Uber, that only works with a smartphone. I don't know how smart your phone is! I know I can't use it with my cell phone.
ReplyDeleteAs for the parking issue, my building dating back to when it went Connolly has charged for parking. When I had a car here, it was $10 a month, not sure what it is today. I've heard $40 back before the current landlord. That's pretty hefty! It might have gone down, though. They certainly don't pay attention to out of state plates remaining for months and things like they used to in the lot.
The apartment buildings and complexs were all built with parking. The city needs to take a stand and force the cars off the streets and back into the partially empty lots. There is no reason for it. Not only does it impede street sweeping, but also proper snow removal as well as safe traffic flow. I've never charged for parking in my properties unless it was in a garage. Tell the out of town slumlords no. It is time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think residents should be penalized for being forced on the street by greedy landlords. Parking should be available thru the rent they pay. When I lived in Watcung Gdns it was included. You had to pay extra for a garage. Greedy Connolly tacked on parking fee anywhere on the property and his greed landed him in prison. I hope this will be taken into consideration or else I hope the tenants develop a strong tenant union and make the greedy landlords see reason.
ReplyDeleteI have attended ZB meetings; and they do exercise professionalism, judgement and fairness when hearing cases. I would recommend you try attending some meetings. Rather than making comments on a blog - citizens have the right to attend meetings and let their opinions be heard. The ZB allows a comment section at each meeting. Just another friendly suggestion.
ReplyDeleteNobody above or below said the ZB does not exercise professionalism good judgement and fairness. What are you even talking about? Nobody alluded to that. People have the right to voice their opinion on a blog or in person at the meetings if they want to. I've been to the ZB meetings and can concur that they're absolutely professional and a wonderful group! You obviously have an ax to grind and offer nothing in your comment about the actual article. We're all neighbors and obviously love Plainfield, otherwise we wouldn't be here. Please keep in mind that as long as the flag outside is still red, white and blue -we all have 1st amendment rights. I've been to PLENTY ZB meetings, probably far more than you. People choose to interact on this blog because we all know the city officials obviously read it. That has no bearings on if people actually go to meetings or not. What a clown.
DeleteI normally do not comment on blog stories, however this item is interesting. As a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment thanks for the support and interest. I think the first Anon 839 was attempting to respond to the first commenters who inferred, however I do not believe maliciously, that the Zoning Board of Adjustment does not have its own voice and follows the practices of the Planning Board or make decisions in haste. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is separate from the Planning Board, hears and vets its applications per Land Use Law. It does not follow the Planning Board in its decision, is not politically driven, nor grants variances without following the Land Use Law. I appreciate the thought of the Anon 8:39, however it's unnecessary. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is made up of a team of dedicated citizens who have committed to doing the business of the City. I'm glad to hear so many people attend the meetings, some more than others; however we rarely have fights over seating. I can honestly say I have attended more meetings than both of you - since I have pretty much a perfect attendance to meetings since I joined the board. So, who has attended more meetings is moot. Next time you come out to a meeting, stop by and say hello or give a nod from the gallery. I will be happy to see you. I invite every citizen to come to the meetings; 1st Wednesday of each month in the City Hall Library at 7 PM. As mentioned in one of the posts, there is both an open comment section on non-agenda items and an opportunity to comment on applications. I hope you will come out, participate and then you may comment on the blogs as much as you like. A participating public only makes out town better! Also, there is no need to call someone a clown for an opinion -- not very mature or nice.
DeleteD. Scott Belin,
Chairman, Plainfield Zoning Board of Adjustment.
I was watching the last meeting on television the other night and was totally embarrassed for our city. On the topic of collegiality, I wish Councilor Rivers would stop wasting tax-payers time with her baseless rants and total disrespect for her colleagues on the council, as well as the public in general. Why is she so obsess with defending a company based outside of Plainfield, namely, Soros’s taxi. Her comment about her granddaughter presenting a better drawing than a professional architect was unnecessary and very unprofessional on her part. I don’t know the whole story concerning the project manager but, I do know any real project would certainly have a project manager to oversee the job and ensure the project stay on schedule and on budget among other things.
ReplyDelete