By Philip Newman
The five-minute grace period at parking meters will soon become a reality after the City Council overrode Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s veto of the bill that he said would bring chaos.
The Council also overrode legislation the mayor had rejected making it easier for members of the clergy to obtain parking permits and allowing the clergy to park at hospitals, religious institutions and funeral parlors in pursuit of their duties.
Bloomberg said he vetoed the parking legislation, which gives drivers an additional five minutes after time runs out at meters, because it would cause chaos and increase confrontations between motorists and parking violations officials.
The mayor also objected to the clergy parking bill, saying it would decrease much-needed parking space for the general population. It takes effect in 60 days.
The parking law, which becomes effective in 90 days, involves Muni-Meters and alternate side of the street parking spaces where regulations are posted.
It requires 34 votes to override a mayoral veto. The parking legislation passed 48-2 and the clergy parking measure 50-0 in the Council override votes.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 136.
