The Borough of Bergenfield is in the process of relaxing rules on commercial vehicle parking on residential property. Under current zoning law, it is against the law to park commercial vehicles overnight in a residential area, meaning residents that are doing this are in violation of the law. Under a new ordinance aimed at both addressing quality of life concerns of residents and helping small business owners, these rules would be relaxed by the Borough.
Over the last year, Bergenfield residents have had to overcome a great deal of adversity as a result of COVID-19. Some residents have lost their jobs or had their hours cut back, while some have either had Coronavirus or known someone close to them who got it.
The small business community in the Borough has likewise faced a great deal of hardship due to public health rules that were put in place to keep people safe. The Mayor and Council worked incredibly hard throughout the health crisis to lessen the burden for families and small businesses by opening a food bank, testing and vaccinating residents in town and loosening some restrictions on businesses, like allowing outdoor dining and holding events on Washington Avenue during the summer.
For years, some businesses have parked multiple commercial vehicles in residential areas along with trailers and other commercial equipment. During the health crisis, this has become a greater issue for residents because they are spending more time at home, with many even working and schooling from home. Not only is this in violation of current residential zoning law, but it is unfair to families to have to deal with the noise and aesthetics of these things being in a residential neighborhood.
The Borough has received many complaints from concerned residents who want the administration to address this issue. In order to improve the quality of life of Bergenfield families while demonstrating an understanding for the hardships of small businesses during COVID-19, the Mayor and Council introduced an ordinance at the last council meeting that would relax rules on the parking of commercial vehicles and address neighborhood quality of life concerns. This compromise measure was crafted to be able to address residents’ concerns while still offering a helping hand to our small businesses.
This ordinance would allow for one commercial vehicle to be parked at a residential property provided that it is the primary residence of the person utilizing the vehicle and it that it is no more than a single rear axle, is less than 22 feet in length from bumper to bumper and that it is less than eight feet in width and eight feet and 6 inches in height.
If the vehicle meets those requirements, the resident utilizing the vehicle would then need to provide proof to the Borough Code Enforcement Department with a photocopy of the vehicle registration, proof that the location is a primary residence for the person using the vehicle and the person is gainfully employed at the company the vehicle is registered to. Upon approval the resident will receive a sticker that must be displayed on the passenger side rear window. No commercial trailers may be parked in a residential neighborhood whatsoever.
“When creating this ordinance, we considered the needs of both Bergenfield residents and Bergenfield business owners. We met and spoke with members of both groups in order to come up with a solution that would be beneficial for all,” said Borough Administrator Corey Gallo. “It is our goal to deliver an outcome that provides some level of flexibility to small business owners that use commercial vehicles, while addressing the legitimate quality of life concerns of our neighbors.”
