A proposed permit parking ordinance in Jim Thorpe borough has residents split over its potential impact.

The majority of residents at borough council’s workshop session Thursday night asked the governing body to hold off on adopting a plan that would allow property owners from 5 W. Broadway to 415 W. Broadway to apply annually for up to two parking permits per residence, which will allow them to park in that neighborhood between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and all day on the weekends and federal holidays, without being ticketed.

Council President Greg Strubinger said the goal of the ordinance was to free up parking spaces on West Broadway for residents instead of tourists and short-term rental occupants taking them up for huge chunks of time. Many residents, however, say parking isn’t enough of a problem to warrant the permits.

“At 10 after 5 tonight, there were 37 open parking spots there from the Opera House to the bus road,” resident Jim “Trooper” Pompa said. “I don’t really know who this is helping.”

Pompa, who lives on Broadway, said he’s also concerned that by only allowing two permits per residence on West Broadway, families with more than three cars are going to be moving vehicles to Broadway, making it harder to find spots there.

If the ordinance is adopted, West Broadway residents can apply for a permit at the borough office and a renewal must take place each year.

Council has yet to officially establish the fee for the permit, but Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the current estimate is $12.

Vehicles without a permit during the times the ordinance is in place would be subject to a ticket.

Fines would be $50 if paid within 48 hours, $60 if paid between 48 hours and five days, and $75 if paid between five and 10 days after the violation.

If the ticket is not paid within 10 days, a citation will take place and the vehicle owner will face a fine of up to $150 plus court costs.

Council originally wanted to make the initial fine $150, but the state only allows a maximum of $50.

“It seems like another rush to judgment,” William Maehrer, a West Broadway resident, told council. “I don’t think this is helping. Just let it alone.”

While many residents were in favor of keeping the parking situation at a status quo, West Broadway homeowner Daniel McGinley said it’s time for action to be taken.

“We have a very bad parking problem,” McGinley said. “People who work downtown are parking up there. Sometimes you can’t get anywhere near our place.

“The weekends are very bad with tourists and Airbnb rentals. Anything you decide is better than nothing. I hope this issue is addressed next week.”

The borough advertised the ordinance following last month’s meeting, meaning they could vote on it as soon as Thursday night.

Several residents questioned what will happen when a West Broadway homeowner wants to have friends or family over for a gathering.

“I think you should allow for more than two permits per household or allow for guest passes,” said Jennifer Dages. “It feels inhospitable to tell someone they would have to be picked up somewhere else and driven over to your house.”

The ordinance, if passed, would take effect Jan. 2, 2021.

While only the West Broadway area is part of the current ordinance proposal, the study also recommended residential permit parking in the High Street and Race Street areas.

“I don’t support the ordinance as it’s written because it doesn’t have that balance,” James Dougher told council. “I think it’s going to create issues with people moving cars to other streets.”

Despite a lack of more vocal support Thursday, council members said it was the constant complaints from residents that drove them to ask the borough’s planning commission to craft an ordinance.

“People came to us because tourists and other people who didn’t live there were parking up there for the whole weekend,” councilwoman Joanne Klitsch said. “That is the whole reason we did this. I realize there will be issues, but we had to start somewhere.”