A plan to allow parking on West Broadway by permit only on evenings and weekends is on hold for now in Jim Thorpe Borough.

Council tabled an ordinance Thursday night that would have allowed property owners from 5 W. Broadway to 415 W. Broadway to apply annually for up to two parking permits per residence. The permits would have enabled 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.

The move to postpone the ordinance came after many residents questioned things such as why visitor passes were not included and if parking is even an issue on West Broadway in the evenings.

“Ultimately, we need to have more feedback,” Council President Greg Strubinger said. “Out of respect for all of the work planning commission did on this, we’ll have a public meeting and then we’ll see where we are at.”

Council scheduled a meeting for Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall, along East 10th Street.

For the second straight week, residents poked holes in the ordinance and suggested it could have an impact in other areas of town such as Broadway, High and Race streets.

“Last night at 6:45 there were 36 spots open on West Broadway,” James “Trooper” Pompa told council. “With the permits, I think most of those spots would sit open all night when people on lower Broadway may need a place to park.”

Pompa said the most congestion is between the Mauch Chunk Opera House and the Old Jail Museum.

The ordinance, as written, allows for West Broadway residents to apply for a permit at the borough office and a renewal must take place each year.

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.

Resident James Dougher said if the ordinance isn’t changed, families on West Broadway with more than two vehicles will be parking them on Broadway, High Street or other areas, taking up spots for the people who live in those areas.

“I think one of the answers is you could meter West Broadway,” Dougher said. “Residents with a parking pass wouldn’t need to feed the meter and if those residents have visitors over, those people could buy a two-hour time slot at the meter.”

James Gilmore, a West Broadway resident, pledged, along with several others, to spread the word about November’s meeting in the hopes of getting the input of as many residents as possible.

“There are a lot of holes in the ordinance right now,” Gilmore said. “But parking is a problem. On weekends, we are trapped. If you leave, you won’t find a spot near the house when you come back. My 72-year-old wife has to walk a quarter-mile or more because tourists and everyone else is parked in those spots. We just want to be able to park in front of our house.”

Parking in the downtown area, Mayor Michael Sofranko said, has been an issue for years. He recommended a public meeting where concerns are raised on both sides of the fence, followed buy a committee formed to hash out the suggestions.

“Years ago, Jay Miller, when he was on council, suggested forming a parking authority and building a parking deck,” Sofranko said. “The biggest concern at the time was the aesthetics of a deck matching with the rest of the downtown.”