Wissahickon Neighbors Revisit Permit-Parking Issue
Residents may start small before tackling endemic Manayunk struggle.
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In the parking desert of Roxborough and Manayunk, Christine Schwartz says it's possible to find an oasis. Instead of endlessly hunting for parking spaces in her Roxborough neighborhood, Schwartz and her neighbors around Dexter and Cotton Streets easily find spots. The answer: resident permit-parking.
"You wouldn't believe it. You can actually find parking on your own block. It's crazy," she said Monday night at the Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association.
Schwartz said her neighbors became fed up with endless driving and wanted to take back their block. So they applied with the Philadelphia Parking Authority, got 51 percent of neighbors to sign-on with their support and within two months in 2011, permit-parking was in effect.
For the narrow streets of Manayunk where the Wissahickon Neighbors preside, permit-parking has been civic President Andrew Bantly's white whale. In 2010, he similarly tried to get restricted parking on his block, but the city told him the area was too small and too far removed from Ridge Avenue or Main Street.
Expanding the goal, the civic association unsuccessfully attempted to put permit-parking in place. Although Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. supported the measure, the PPA said the plan didn't align with the agency's protocol. Bantly said the time-consuming project fell by the wayside when residents disagreed as to how to handle certain aspects of the law: Who could apply? How many per household?
On Monday, residents showed renewed interest in a smaller scale version, more akin to the Dexter Street permit.
Rachel Wexler lives on East Street and described college students packed into homes, way beyond the legal limit.
"I totally understand what their doing, cramming all of them in there. But when their boyfriends, girlfriends come over, I don't care what happens to them. They can walk 10 blocks for all I care," she said.
Residents, like Wexler, expressed interest in petitioning blocks to impose 2-hour parking for those without residential passes, which will initially cost $35, with a recurring fee annually. The civic will discuss the idea more at its Oct. 1 meeting, where subcommittee could be revived.
Bantly warned residents that the issue involves a time commitment. People will have to apply to the PPA, petition residents—each household, whether a renter or owner can sign—for support or opposition, and work with the councilman's office. But it's an effort Wexler says is well worth it.
"It's no more of a time commitment than walking 20 blocks if you come home after 7 o'clock," she said.
The civic president said he had talked to Terrace Street residents about starting the process, and that a few blocks could get the balling rolling.
"Honestly, it only takes one or two blocks, and it's whole domino effect," Bantly said.
Roxborough Area Man
9:42 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Parking stickers...ugh. Yet ANOTHER move to discriminate against renters, visitors, friends and family who would like to come into the area. I live in the neighborhood around the hospital, and yes, it can be difficult sometimes to find parking. That's the price you pay for living in the big city. There are times I even have to *gasp* walk a block or two from my car to home. I lived in Manayunk when I first came to Philadelphia, so I can relate to their special brand of parking pain...but parking stickers are not the answer. Get to know the PPA employees - they are often very helpful in monitoring trouble areas, and will overlook residents mistakes (if they aren't egregious).
Not everyone is a home owner...and many who rent temporarily will be turned off and not want to stay permanently because your can't walk a block. You will kill your own neighborhood - but hey, you'll have ample parking then, won't you?
Debbie Thomas
10:09 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Roxborough Area Man, I agree. Unless a person is physically unable to, I don't see the problem with having to walk a few blocks. In fact it might do some people good to constantly walk a few blocks, as I've seen tons (no pun intended) of fat people in Roxborough.
Many renters who might buy in the area later will decide not too. It might even create a situation where you won't get decent tenants for the rentals. I would much rather have a neighborhood with parking problems than one where there's plenty of parking and a low caliber of renters.
You aer correct about
resident
9:14 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Bantly, head of the Wissahickon Civic, should not be responsible for such an important task. He's had many years to develop this parking plan, and the only result is he courted the PPA to come into the neighborhood to install signage that decreases the amount of parking, and increases the amount of tickets to residents, while not putting in place any viable parking plan for the residents. I refuse to attend any more Civic meetings while he is leading the organization, an I encourage the Civic members to recall him as the leader due to his inactivity, sluggishness, and lack of vision and leadership on this project.
Sam Fran Scavuzzo
9:42 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hi resident. While I certainly feel you can criticize groups for the way plans are executed, I, just personally, think Drew Bantly is very committed to the neighborhood and has worked with some out-of-the-box ideas—like a neighborhood improvement district and possibly buying property for neighborhood lots. He tried to work with the PPA in 2010, because that's how parking matters are handled. Just the amount of organization and coordination Drew does for the Wissahickon Neighbors voluntarily demonstrates how committed he is. But, that's just my own opinion.
Brian A
12:05 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I agree with “Roxborough Area Man” and “Resident”. Bantly is not representing the community. He has been unable to gain support for his parking plan. Rather than listening to the wishes of the community he continues to push for what HE wants to the detriment of the community. He has invited the parking authority into our neighborhood. Many parking spaces have been eliminated and many more tickets have been written. If enough tickets are written the parking problem will be considered large enough to force a parking plan. So basically, he has invited the parking authority to write tickets against the residents in order to force his agenda.