Free Holiday Season Parking Reduced in Mount Kisco

Concerned that some motorists have been abusing the privilege, Mount Kisco officials are reducing the village’s free holiday parking this season.

In a decision made by the village board earlier this week, the annual free holiday parking will be provided only in designated lots from Dec. 10 through Jan. 1. There will be no free on-street parking available.

The designated parking facilities are the Shoppers Park lot located behind Cosi and the Gap for up to four hours; the South Moger, North Moger and Dakin Avenue lots for either two- or four-hour parking; and the corner lot at Main Street and East Hyatt Avenue for two hours. Free parking will not be available in the spaces that have 12-hour meters.

Free all-day parking for store employees will be available in the North Moger lot if a permit is obtained at the tax receiver’s office at village hall.

Previously, on-street spaces were free during the holiday season on portions of South Moger Avenue and Main Street.

Mayor Michael Cindrich said although the village expects to lose about $30,000 in revenue by allowing free parking, it is done each year around the holidays to encourage customers to shop in Mount Kisco.

However, Cindrich said he sought to end free on-street parking because some motorists had been using the spaces beyond the posted time limits in previous years. The mayor noted that he was alerted of the abuse by merchants.

Trustee Jean Farber said it would be wrong for officials to discontinue free parking in front of businesses, arguing that it “violates the Christmas spirit.” Sometimes one hour is insufficient time for shoppers, she said.

“It’s going to be very unfair,” said Farber.

Cindrich responded that if people needed to park for longer stretches they could use the designated lots.

Deputy Mayor George Griffin Jr. and Palmer agreed with Cindrich, saying that in the past some shoppers would leave their cars in on-street spaces well beyond the one-hour limit. Cindrich said the streets that no longer had the free parking are locations where “parking is at a premium.”

Trustee Anthony Markus said he agreed with Farber, contending that all metered on-street parking should be free during the holiday season, but the limit for those spaces should be one hour.

Despite the criticism of limiting the free parking, Cindrich defended his position. “Certain people are abusing the privilege,” he said.