The Floral Park Board of Trustees on Tuesday requested the state Legislature to enact legislation that would allow the village to establish residential parking areas that require permits.
“We’ve seen traffic and people parking on our streets and using it like a parking lot to use the arena,” Fitzgerald said Tuesday night. “Once the railroad at Belmont station is fully operational it can become a bigger issue for people with an increase in cars looking to avoid parking fees at the UBS Arena.”
State Sen. Anna Kaplan has sponsored a bill to keep UBS Arena patrons from parking in nearby residential areas.
The opening of the arena last fall has led to traffic and noise complaints in surrounding areas such as Hempstead.
Since the public opening on Nov. 20, the UBS Arena has been the home to the New York Islanders as well as hosting concerts, which will be held year-round outside of hockey season.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald acknowledged the work of Kaplan and state Assemblywoman Carrie Solages for their support.
“I would like to thank Senator Kaplan and Assemblywoman Solages and especially Assemblywoman Solage’s office for continuing their advocating and to move this forward.”
At a December special board meeting of the Town of Hempstead, officials unanimously approved parking regulations on roads off Hempstead Turnpike including Locustwood Boulevard, and Heathcote, Huntley Sussex, Warwick and Wellington roads.
In addition, 106th and 109th avenues and Fieldmere and Pine streets were included. Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said that issues have worsened due to delays in the completion of the parking garage on Hempstead Turnpike.
Fitzgerald said the board spoke with residents of affected areas who agreed it was time for a change and to find a solution.
The potential remedy would institute residential parking permits for certain streets.
Officials from Kaplan’s office said to pass a law creating a parking system in New York, there has to be an agreement between the municipalities and state.
Once the bill is introduced, Floral Park would pass a local law, which happened Tuesday, in the form of a home rule message, indicating their desires for proposed changes in order for anything to be passed and signed into law.
