Putting a Price on Parking at the Stewart Manor Station

As a way to generate revenue for the village, trustee John DeMaro suggested making the 55 unrestricted parking spots at the Stewart Manor train station permit-required.

A total of 172 parking spaces are offered at the New Hyde Park Road lot but only 117 require a permit. The parking field is the only train station lot that offers free spaces within the village of Garden City.

Trustee DeMaro said the village could offer permits during a 30-day period in which the first 15 days would be open to Garden City residents and the remaining 15 for any non-residents wishing to use the parking field.

"It's an odd situation because all other lots in Garden City are permit-only," DeMaro said. "It seems like people in other nearby communities take advantage of it because there are no restrictions. It's a chance to raise some revenue."

Trustee Nick Episcopia said there's a "history of Franklin Square residents looking to use our station" though he didn't think the village would be " swamped by people looking for those permits."

Some village board members thought DeMaro's suggestion was plausible, and should take effect "as soon as possible" to raise money for the village.

"There's 55 spots. For some reason we don't charge anybody anything. In every other lot we do. That seems odd," trustee Brian Daughney said.

Currently, Garden City residents can park at any of the five station fields in the village for an annual $150 permit fee. All parking is first come first serve, according to village clerk Brian Ridgway. Permits are annualized Sept. 1 and are not pro-rated, village administrator Robert Schoelle said. The village's general office would issue the non-resident permits.

Village counsel Gary Fishberg noted that there's nothing currently in village code that allows the sale of non-resident permits so a change in local law would be required. Trustees directed Fishberg to draft a local law by the next scheduled meeting, which is May 2.

In the meantime, Episcopia suggested putting up signs in the lot to alert commuters that a change is coming.

Resident Steve Illardi told trustees he'd expect non-residents would pay a larger fee and that the permits would be renewable every year while fellow resident Albert Intreglia asked trustees if they'd keep some spaces in reserve for Garden City residents only. "The thought is that they would be charged a higher price," DeMaro said, adding that it would ultimately be up to the village board.

The issue was briefly discussed at the April 18 village board meeting and is under review. A public hearing on the matter could take place June 6.