Bowing to pressure from several quarters, the Haddonfield commissioners have amended the parking ordinance to provide ten “errand” minutes of free parking in metered spaces downtown. The change went into effect on March 29.
Among the “quarters” were the change.org petition – now signed by more than 2,750 peeved residents and out-of-town visitors – and the survey that Haddonfield Today conducted in October. Both were launched in response to the introduction of a new parking scheme on September 1, 2023 that eliminated free parking on Saturdays and extended the parking hours from 6pm to 8pm, six days a week.
Many of the survey's 200 respondents complained about the loss of free time. One example: Often I need to park on Kings Highway just to pick up a take-out order that I have called in. I typically go after 6pm but before 8pm. It is nuts that I should have to pay for a 10-minute park, and try to find a kiosk on top of it. Or at the Post Office to drop off a package – also about 10 minutes. The previous meters with 12 minutes free were perfect for this.
Read the results of the survey – and scores of similar comments – HERE.
Another "quarter" was the business community. Merchants told the commissioners they've been getting earfuls from customers unhappy not just with the Saturday and 8pm changes, but with having to pay $1.35 on the app just to run an errand.
The free time is available only via the Premium Parking app, not at kiosks. And it's available only once per day. The app sends a confirming text when the free time is activated, and another when it expires. At that point, you can purchase additional time at $1 per hour plus the 35¢ fee.
Pro Tip: If you think your errand might take more than ten minutes and you're near a kiosk, consider paying with coins at the kiosk instead of using the free-time option on the app. You'll get a full hour for 50¢ and you'll avoid the hassle of having to buy more time.
To express your views on parking directly to the Haddonfield commissioners, call and email:
856-429-4700
Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich x 317 – cbbezich@haddonfield-nj.gov
Commissioner Kevin Roche x 316 – kroche@haddonfield-nj.gov
Commissioner Frank Troy x 318 – ftroy@haddonfield-nj.gov