Over a dozen residents showed up at Tuesday’s Maplewood Township Committee meeting to voice concerns over proposed changes to parking rules on streets near Underhill Field. Underhill Field—located near the South Orange border—which includes a track, football field and other features, is used for Columbia High School athletics and other local organizations’ events. It has no designated parking, and cars line nearby streets when games are played.

Most residents opposed the new rules during the public hearing on the ordinance, which would ban parking on streets near the field. Some favored the measure, citing the clogged parking conditions that happen on their street when games are held at the field.

Many residents felt that imposing a year-round ban on streets such as Baldwin and Berkshire was too draconian a measure. There are few games played at the field, they said, and problems only occur when infrequent events are held at the field. One resident noted that he regularly parked on the street to facilitate his morning commute to Manhattan.

Other residents noted that the streets would become so clogged with parked cars during games that it becomes a safety hazard. People pulling out of their cars are unable to see oncoming cars, they said. In addition, residents and Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta noted that when cars parked on both sides of the street emergency vehicles have difficulties driving through them.  

The committee voted against the ordinance, saying that they will ask the Transportation Committee to suggest a new, more nuanced answer to the parking question.

“The solution now is more broadly drawn than it needs to be,” Committee member Jerry Ryan said, explaining his dissenting vote.