The Hoboken Business Alliance has penned a letter asking the city council to hold off on banning new parklets ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We believe that the City already has all of the tools it needs to address the concerns cited as driving forces behind this change through either existing regulation – like the stronger cleaning and rodent mitigation standards for Parklets that the Council only just passed last month in addition to the citywide container requirements – or through changes to standards of design and construction,” the HBA said in a statement.
The ordinance, sponsored by 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino and up for second reading at Wednesday’s meeting, existing parklets and streeteries would be allowed, but new parklets would not be permitted as a rat mitigation effort.
The Hoboken Hospitality Group, who own Fat Taco, Wild Moose Saloon, and Birch, also said they would like the vote to be postponed.
“Rodents are not good for anyone, especially food service establishments. We understand that operating a parklet is a privilege not a right. And with that privilege comes responsibility. That is why there is an approval process,” said HHG Co-Owner Gary Yip.
“Irresponsible operators should not be approved to operate a parklet. However, it would be unfair to take away this option for all businesses when it has a positive impact on Hoboken businesses and residents.”
Andrew Martino, who owns GTK, and Amanda Schmitt, co-owner of Schmitty’s, also noted that they had pause about the local legislation.
“We can’t be successful in a place like Hoboken if we don’t make our neighbors our first priority,” Schmitt added.
“What has been proposed takes that key relationship out of the equation and assumes that business owners can’t be responsible stewards of their neighborhood.”
In an email blast before the measure was approved on first reading on October 4th, Giattino said the measure was park of an all hands on deck approach to deal with rodent infestations.
“This has been a hot topic that I have heard door knocking. The first issue is rodents and the second is parking. Streeteries, the outdoor dining area that is typically turf on the street with barricades around them will still be allowed,” she wrote.
“These structures are easily removable for both cleaning and removing when not in use. All existing Parklets will be grandfathered in. I am hopeful that the ordinance will pass and ask that you please email you councilperson(unless I am your councilperson) to support this ordinance. Our goal should be to address the rodent issue now and reevalute once we have it under control.”
This afternoon, Council President Emily Jabbour intimated that she would not support the measure on second reading in her own email blast.
“I have concerns about this proposed change, as I’m not clear that it mitigates the issues that it aims to solve for. I believe that Hoboken’s small business community relies on parklets and has become a destination because of this unique feature,” she said, also noting the HBA has concerns.
” … I also have safety concerns when it comes to exclusively using the streetery model, but remain open to continuing these conversations. I’m proud to have supported the more stringent guidelines for rodent mitigation as it pertains to parklets and ongoing requirements for cleaning, maintenance, and upkeep.”
The Hoboken City Council convenes on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 94 Washington St., and will stream live on Facebook and YouTube.