A new permit parking ordinance in Jim Thorpe Borough is already generating quite the buzz through both comments at borough council’s workshop Thursday night and on social media.

Early reactions are mixed, with local residents who now stand a higher probability of parking near their home pleased with the borough’s efforts, while downtown business officials and visitors to the area feel they are being squeezed out due to how the new rules were written.

The ordinance, which went into effect Jan. 2, allows residents of Broadway, West Broadway, High Street, Race Street, Hill Road and Quarry Street to purchase an annual permit for $15 that allows them to park from 5-415 W. Broadway or anywhere on High Street without receiving a ticket. Motorists who do not have a permit and park in those areas are subject to a $50 fine.

It is currently in effect 24 hours a day.

“I think there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue, but there are opportunities for compromise,” Michael Rivkin, president of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, told council Thursday night. “In the original draft of the ordinance, it did call for the permit parking rules to be in effect only in the evenings, on weekends and federal holidays. With respect to the downtown business community, which needs parking for its employees and customers, we would request that original time frame be reinstated. I think that would strike a good balance and still give residents in that area an opportunity to park near their homes when they get home from work and on the weekends.”

Councilman Mike Yeastedt said that original draft was changed after several local residents attended meetings on the issue and stated that putting a limit on when the permits would be required would not help their specific situation.

“They gave us examples of when they come home during the day they can’t get a spot until someone moves,” Yeastedt said. “I understand what you’re saying though, and we will take it under advisement.”

The ordinance has received significant play on Facebook, with hundreds of posts rolling in on the topic.

“I am a resident and appreciate tourism as it keeps our taxes down and has our town stand out from others in the area,” Kelly Mae Sutphin posted recently. “But the residents of Broadway need a place to park near their homes. I pray this is the answer that benefits all.”

Other locals shared similar opinions.

“It’s about time the people who live on Broadway and up are able to park in front of their houses, especially the elderly when some may have been injured or hospitalized due to having to walk a mile in the heat,” Ariel Elizabeth Miller posted. “I understand tourists make our little town run for the most part, but residents on these streets should always have the first parking spot.”

The ordinance does permit the borough to issue guest passes valid for a 24-hour period. Residents can apply for guest passes online, but they have to be picked up at the borough office.

“If there is a situation on a weekend, or when the borough office is closed, that a plumber or someone has to come to my house, they have nowhere to park or are risking a ticket,” Laura Young, West Broadway resident, told council. “You can’t just have pop-in guests anymore. There are definitely some issues with this.”

Jim Thorpe Police Chief Joe Schatz said if residents contact the department and let them know a contractor or someone is on site doing work, they will alert on-duty officers that the vehicle is allowed to be there.

Still, other residents suggested some type of mobile platform or phone app that would allow for an “on the spot” permit acquisition for a specified period of time without having to go in person to the borough office to pick it up.

“When I go to Ocean City, New Jersey, you park and you pay in an app,” David Weinrich, of 38 W. Broadway, said. “It’s 2022, and I just think there has to be some kind of other solution for the day passes.”

Council said Thursday it will continue to review the ordinance as suggestions come in.

“Some of the things suggested, such as an app or something like that, would cost the taxpayers money to administer it, so there are competing interests there,” council President Greg Strubinger said. “This is new. It’s not perfect. We know that. And we do appreciate all the comments and will keep looking at this.”