Town plan would set aside parking for hybrids

Hempstead Town officials are proposing a new law to require parking spaces for electric cars and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at LIRR stations and at town parking lots.

The town plans to add parking spots near the front of train platforms to encourage electric vehicle use and purchasing of green vehicles.

Several spots were designated as electric car and plug-in hybrid electric-only vehicles on Thursday at the Bellmore train station by Town Supervisor Anthony Santino and Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.

The Hempstead Town Board will vote on the proposal during its Jan. 10 meeting. The proposal would designate four parking spaces at each town train station along the main line and on town-owned commuter parking lots in Seaford, Bellmore, Wantagh, Merrick and Baldwin.
The town is also seeking to reserve two spaces at train stations in Oceanside, Inwood and Hewlett.

Commuters who use the new parking spaces will have to purchase a commuter parking pass for $10, with no additional parking fees. All other LIRR parking restrictions will also apply to use the parking spaces.