Rugby Road Parking Banned Near Rockaway Turnpike

Cedarhurst village trustees voted on Monday to suspend all parking on the south side of Rugby Road from Rockaway Turnpike to Buckingham Road.

Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise said the village would try out the suspension of parking for the next month. He said if it eases traffic on the street, the trustees will continue the suspension. If not, they will re-open the hearing.

Residents in attendance at the meeting agreed with the plan.

“It’s a great idea,” said Gary Bader. He noted that when cars are turning off of Rockaway Turnpike during rush hour, the cars parked on the south side prevent both lanes of traffic on Rugby Road from moving. 

Bader added that there is more traffic coming from the on the corner of Rockaway Turnpike and Rugby Road, and the parking on Rugby “may cause an accident,” he said.

Messy Home

Both Bader and Rugby Road resident Regine Thadal raised concerns about a large house in foreclosure behind Starbucks on Buckingham Road. They said the property is messy and there are piles of garbage all around it. Thadal added that she sees over 20 people coming and going from the residence on a daily basis.

“Everything is very filthy, very unsafe," she said. "I’m worried.”

Thadal has been living on the street for several years and feels the unkempt house is bringing down her property value. She said she went as far as to pay her landscaper to clean up the garbage abutting her property.

Trustee Ari Brown said the building is in foreclosure and the mortgage company that owns it is trying to get those living in it out. 

After the meeting, Cedarhurst Building Department Superindent Wayne Yarnell confirmed that the building is in foreclosure and is owned by DLJ Mortgage Capitoal Inc., located in Manhattan.