Township OKs LHS parking proposal

The superintendent of schools believes that real relief for the high school’s parking problems may have to come through a referendum.

By: Lea Kahn
   Despite some residents’ opposition, Township Council adopted a parking ordinance Tuesday that sets aside parking spaces for nonresidents on several streets across from Lawrence High School.
   The council voted 3-2 to approve the parking ordinance. Mayor Pam Mount, Deputy Mayor Greg Puliti and Councilwoman Doris Weisberg voted for it, and Councilmen Mark Holmes and Rick Miller voted against it.
   Mr. Holmes and Mr. Miller opposed the measure because they felt that other alternatives to handle overflow student parking had not been explored. They suggested allowing students who do not have on-campus parking privileges to park at the Lawrence Shopping Center, for example.
   Superintendent of Schools Max Riley attended the meeting and explained that there is little the school district can do in this matter because of larger overcrowding issues that are plaguing the high school.
   Some residents who spoke at the meeting found little satisfaction in the council’s decision.
   There are 166 parking spaces on campus for Lawrence High School students, awarded on a lottery basis. Students who do not win a parking space in the high school parking lot have parked on several side streets across Princeton Pike from the school.
   Some residents have complained that students who park on their streets are rude.
   Under the ordinance approved this week, parking on certain streets near Lawrence High School will be restricted to permit holders weekdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. when school is in session. Violators will be subject to a maximum fine of $100.
   Permits will be issued to residents who live on the selected streets so they can park there when the restrictions are in effect. Also, permits will be issued to "nonresidents," who will be allowed to park in specially designated parking spaces on those streets. "Nonresidents" includes Lawrence High School students and about six staff members.
   The streets affected by the ordinance are the entire length of Lannigan Drive, Mink Court, Whitemarsh Drive, Hillsdale Road and Hoover Avenue. Also affected are Foch Avenue between Hoover Avenue and Lannigan Drive, Hughes Avenue between Princeton Pike and Glenn Avenue, and Glenn Avenue between Hughes Avenue and Johnson Road.
   Both sides of Gainsboro Road also are included. Nonresidents will be able to park on the north side of Gainsboro Road, along school district property. Parking on the south side of Gainsboro Road will be restricted to residents.
   Permits for nonresidents will be issued as needed, said Municipal Manager William Guhl. The parking spaces on the north side of Gainsboro Road will be issued first, and then parking permits on the affected side streets will be issued. The permits will be color-coded, and different colors will match the various streets.
   The parking plan adopted this week is a tweaked version of one that was introduced earlier this summer. This version added the south side of Gainsboro Road, after some residents objected that students would park in front of those houses.
   The school superintendent said the lack of parking spaces for students is indicative of the larger problem of overcrowding at Lawrence High School. According to new state standards, there are 560 more students than the high school should house, he said.
   The high school administration has been aware of the parking shortage, Dr. Riley said. Two years ago, the parking lot was restriped to add more spaces. Now, the administration plans to create incentives for students to carpool and share the available parking spaces, he said.
   Carpooling will not solve the problem because students drive to school for a variety of reasons, Dr. Riley said. However, school district officials will try to come up with incentives to encourage them to carpool, he said. Also, the officials need to talk to the students and their parents about the impact they have on the neighborhood, he said.
   The school wants to be a good neighbor, but there is no way to resolve the issue short of a renovation to the high school campus, Dr. Riley said, adding that "we may be looking at a referendum."
   Some residents said the council’s plan was unfair and that officials had not investigated other options.
   Lawnside Drive resident Natalie Smith said the ordinance treats residents on the affected streets differently than the residents on Berwyn Place and Review Avenue. Parking on those two streets is restricted to residents only. Students are not allowed to park there.
   When Mrs. Smith asked Mr. Holmes, Mr. Miller and Mr. Puliti why they voted to restrict parking on Berwyn Place and Review Avenue to residents only in 1998, Mr. Puliti said the situation was different. He said students congregated on those streets, which abut the high school campus. The students set a trash can on fire and "disrupted" property, he said.
   Former school board member Cathy Schneider agreed with Ms. Smith’s argument that there should be equitable treatment of residents, but she also pointed out that "illegal activity" was taking place on Berwyn Place and Review Avenue — and that is what led to that ordinance.
   "These kids today are paying for their (former students’) sins," said Mrs. Schneider, who lives on Pine Knoll Drive. Berwyn Place and Review Avenue should be pulled into the new ordinance, she said, adding that she would prefer to see students parking on the streets next to the high school. This is because students would not have to cross Princeton Pike.
   Mrs. Schneider also suggested creating more parking on campus. She said she did not want to see macadam everywhere on the high school campus, but there is a need to provide more parking spaces.
   Former mayor, Robert Kusek, who lives on Lannigan Drive, said he opposed the ordinance. Students already are carpooling, he said, adding that he has observed three or four students emerge from one car that parks on his street.
   Mr. Kusek said more parking spaces could be created on campus. There is enough room at the rear of the high school parking lot to create a few more spaces and still allow room for school buses and firetrucks or ambulances to maneuver, he said.
   Gainsboro Road resident Bonnie Rakowski said students could park on the Rider University campus and be shuttled to school. She urged the council to come up with a plan that satisfies both the residents and the students.
   "There are a lot of creative solutions that can be done," she said. "Just put yourself in (the residents’) shoes. You have to make a decision, but think of something that in the long term can make everyone happy."
   Mayor Mount said public safety is one of Township Council’s responsibilities. Students park on both sides of the street on the side streets across from the high school, which could impede the ability of fire engines and ambulances to get through, she said.
   "Will this ordinance be absolutely perfect? Perhaps not. We will try to work with you as we move forward," Mayor Mount told the audience.
   Mr. Holmes, who voted against the ordinance, said it could be repealed if township and school district officials can come up with a better plan. He said he will continue to work on another solution to the parking problem.
   And Mr. Puliti encouraged residents to take their concerns to the township Board of Education. The next school board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lawrence High School library.