A temporary parking lot for the Brownstones development would remain in use for at least a year after the second phase of the 480-unit development is completed, under legislation passed last month.
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.City Council. approved an ordinance (O-31-24) amending the Block 228 Redevelopment Plan, which governs the lots encompassed by Meridia Brownstones, a five-story development along Elizabeth Avenue from West Grand to West Scott avenues. The measure was introduced Aug. 12 and came up for final approval and a public hearing at the Sept. 9 regular meeting, drawing no comments or questions from the council or the public.
Earlier amendments were introduced via ordinance (O-12-24) at the April 8 regular meeting but never advanced as City Council did not act on all changes recommended by the Planning Board.
The primary difference from the ordinance introduced in April was requiring that a 79-space parking lot at Elizabeth and West Scott avenues remain as “supplemental parking” for at least a year after the final certificate of occupancy is issued “to provide a safeguard ensuring that parking demand for the overall project is accommodated.”
On-street parking immediately abutting the Brownstones may be used by the “non-residential component” of the project but will not count toward the residential requirement, according to the ordinance.
The redevelopment plan stipulates a minimum of 1.58 parking spaces be provided on-site for each residential unit. That would mean a minimum of 478 parking spaces in Phase 2, assuming the maximum 200 units proposed to supplement the previously approved 230 spaces for Phase 1.
“It is the intention of the minimum parking requirement to satisfy the observed parking demand associated with Phase 1 for both phases after development is completed,” according to the ordinance.
Phase 1 of the Brownstones included 298 units along with 230 parking spaces. After residents began parking on nearby streets, the city created resident-only street parking permits on neighboring streets and developer, Capodagli Property Company, provided more parking in adjacent lots.
The Redevelopment Agency was presented with a plan in February. that would provide a total 705 parking spaces for the 498 units — 81 more (13 percent) than the the original 624 parking spaces approved by the Planning Board a decade ago.
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