Councilman David G. Greenfield introduced three bills in the City Council last week intended to make parking easier for the residents of his district and all New Yorkers. The bills, which were formally placed before the Council last Tuesday, were each crafted to address a common parking-related problem.

“I am committed to making life easier for all of New York’s drivers,” Greenfield said. “These bills are each designed to solve a real problem in a practical way. I will continue to promote common-sense reforms such as these that will help to ease some of the congestion and headaches that have historically come with driving a car in New York.”

The first bill Greenfield introduced is a bill that will allow parking in front of non-functional fire hydrants. Many of New York’s fire hydrants are not functional and simply have not been removed. But as the law currently stands, parking in front of a fire hydrant is prohibited regardless of whether that hydrant is operable. Greenfield’s bill will do away with that restriction for inoperable hydrants, opening up valuable parking space all over the city. Non-functioning fire hydrants are to be painted green so that drivers will know which fire hydrants they may park in front of.

Councilman Greenfield has also sponsored a bill that will prohibit the city from towing any vehicle unless that vehicle has first been immobilized with a wheel lock for at least 72 hours beforehand. This rule would not apply to vehicles illegally parked at bus stops, fire hydrants, crosswalks, or in tow away zones, that are blocking legal driveways, or when the immediate towing of the vehicle is required as a matter of public safety. This bill will make it easier for drivers to regain access to their cars without having to search nearby streets or journey to impound lots, while still holding accountable those who violate parking and traffic laws.

Finally, Councilman Greenfield is proposing a new law that will do away with the requirement to feed parking meters on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Black Friday is often the most-ticketed day of the year, as shoppers find themselves waiting in long lines, unable to return to move their cars or feed the parking meter. Greenfield’s bill would allow these shoppers to support New York’s local businesses without fear of coming back to a ticket on their windshield.

Councilman Greenfield has long been an advocate for New York’s drivers. Last year, he passed historic legislation that allows drivers to pre-pay New York City’s muni-meters up to one hour before the meter regulations go into effect, forces meters to shut off and not accept payment when the driver is not required to pay for parking like in the evening, and shuts down muni-meters when the meter runs out of paper receipts. He also passed a common-sense law granting drivers a five minute “grace period” at muni-meters to avoid being ticketed when their time runs out. Greenfield also got the Department of Transportation to let certain residents of his district pre-pay meters up to four hours in advance on Fridays for meters that are usually in effect until 7 p.m. This allows for those of his constituents who observe the Sabbath to park earlier on Fridays without fear of being ticketed when they are unable to return to feed the meter. And in September of last year, thanks to funding provided by Greenfield, the Department of Transportation completed the resurfacing of 100 of the most dangerous roads in his district, making the commute to work and home again safer for his constituents.

Greenfield’s bills will now be considered by the City Council.

(YWN Desk – NYC)