As residents of Fort Lee, NJ, many of us have personally experienced the challenges and frustrations caused by the current street parking policy, cost, and enforcement in our town. The current policies not only burden residents but also negatively impact our local businesses. Therefore, we are starting this petition to urge the Fort Lee Parking Authority to implement a more resident and business-friendly street parking policy.

Fort Lee is home to hardworking individuals who contribute significantly to the town's financial well-being through sales, income, and property taxes. However, the current parking costs and policies make it prohibitively expensive and inconvenient for residents to support local businesses. This not only affects our quality of life but also hampers economic growth within our community. Fort Lee deserves a fair parking policy for residents and businesses. 

Relevant facts to support our petition:

Financial Impact on Residents:
People no longer carry quarters for parking/tolls/etc. so many residents are forced to leave their parked cars to get change to feed the meters. Those who are not willing to risk a ticket while they get change are forced to download a parking app, register, and pay a service fee each time they need to pay for parking.

While $0.25 for 7 minutes may not seem like a lot, surrounding towns charge significantly less. A prime example is Williamsburg, Brooklyn - a popular place with far more attractions than Fort Lee offers - their meters are $1.25/hour, nearly half of the cost here. Westwood, NJ, which boasts a NJT train station, offers a free 15-minute period (by way of a button on the meter) before charging $0.95 for two hours of parking in the center of town. Westwood also has free parking accommodations for residents with town-issued verified resident decals.

What's more, many meters in Fort Lee run late into the evening, causing headaches for residents looking to patronize local restaurants. 

Negative Effect on Local Businesses:
The existing street parking policy creates an unnecessary barrier for customers wishing to visit local establishments in Fort Lee. The current cost of parking forces shoppers to pay to park simply to pick up a to-go order from a local restaurant, or pop into the pharmacy for a prescription - transactions that could take mere minutes.

Further, the cost instills a sense of urgency and anxiety in shoppers who might otherwise spend more time in a store shopping for goods. Some businesses are forced to absorb the costs of street parking for their clients, something they should not be responsible for. 

By implementing a more resident and business-friendly street parking policy, we can create an environment where both parties thrive together harmoniously.

We kindly request that the Fort Lee Parking Authority consider revising the current street parking regulations in Fort Lee with the following suggestions:

1. Resident Street Parking Permits: Introduce parking permits that offer 25 minutes of free downtown parking to verified residents so they can spend their hard-earned money at local establishments. 

2. If possible, implement parking validation (similar to Hudson Lights Parking Garage) through the Park Mobile app to promote local shopping in exchange for free parking. 

3. Offer local businesses a limited number of parking hang tags that allow for 30 minutes of free parking to be issued exclusively to customers. 

By signing this petition, we are urging the authorities in Fort Lee, NJ, to prioritize the needs of residents and local businesses by implementing a fair street parking policy. Let us work together towards creating a vibrant community where both residents and businesses can thrive.

Thank you for your attention and support!