Millburn Township Committee has introduced an ordinance that would allow parking on the south side of Ridgewood Road near Taylor Park, reversing a ban on that block.

Ordinance 2771-26, introduced Sept. 15, would remove the parking prohibition on the southerly side of Ridgewood Road between Main Street and Whittingham Terrace. Parking on the northerly side would remain banned. The ordinance also creates one new handicapped parking space on the east side of Main Street, beginning 220 feet from the northeast corner of Main Street and Ridgewood Road and extending 24 feet.

A public hearing and possible final vote are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The handicapped space is tied to the township's Taylor Park Inclusive Playground Project. According to the ordinance's statement of purpose, the space fulfills Green Acres grant requirements for the accessible playground. The Township Committee authorized a $750,000 Green Acres grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on April 21, with Millburn providing a $250,000 match, according to meeting minutes. The grant is designated as project #0712-24-012.

Mayor Frank Saccomandi and Municipal Clerk Christine A. Gatti signed the ordinance. The full committee that will consider the measure includes Deputy Mayor David Cosgrove and Committeemen Michael Cohen, Jamie Serruto and Ben Stoller.

The parking changes come as Taylor Park undergoes other work. The rose garden entrance from Millburn Avenue is closed until further notice for a gateway construction project. Visitors are directed to use Whittingham Terrace or enter via Lot 12 near Millburn Deli or Main Street.

Ordinance 2771-26 is one of five ordinances with public hearings set for the same meeting. The others are Ordinance 2768-26, addressing zoning for accessory structures; Ordinance 2769-26, covering restaurant buffers and pet grooming in the B2, B3 and B4 zones; Ordinance 2770-26, dealing with data centers; and Ordinance 2773-26, an affordable housing floor area ratio (FAR) measure, according to the township's proposed ordinances page.

Residents who want to weigh in on the Ridgewood Road parking changes can attend the hearing. Ordinance documents are available on the township website.