DUBAI // Parking meters have been activated in The Greens despite an online petition with more than 300 signatures opposing the plan.
The meters are aimed at stopping non-residents from using the area for long-term free parking. They operate on weekdays from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm, with a charge of Dh2 an hour.
The Greens has public parking spaces on streets and in front of compounds, which are now being metered.
There is private covered parking for residents, but only one space for each apartment. Families with more than one car have to park their second vehicles on the street.
An online petition signed by 324 residents urges the developer, Emaar, and the Roads and Transport Authority to exempt residents from payment.
One resident wrote: “Homeowners pay an annual maintenance fee. This fee is directed to maintain the entire community, from building cleanliness to greenery to the upkeep of the features within community.
“With the introduction of paid parking, this is like a tax for the homeowners living in The Greens.”
Nitin Chaudhry, who bought property in The Greens, said it made sense to regulate parking.
“It is true that there are many abandoned cars that have been parked there for months and are gathering dust. Of course, we don’t know who they belong to and if they are residents or not.
“The Springs and Meadows don’t have this issue because they are gated communities, whereas The Greens is open. I would honestly rather Emaar made The Greens gated to the public, than introduce such a scheme.
“Or else, I would ask Emaar to look at giving residents a free parking pass.”
Another resident said one parking space for each apartment was not enough.
“We live in a two-bedroom apartment and my husband and I both drive,” she said.
“We always have to park one car on the street in the evening. Racking up parking charges every night is an extra expense none of us anticipated when we moved here.”
Emaar’s community management authority asked for the meters to be installed because the parking areas were being misused, said Adel Al Marzooqi, director of parking at the RTA.
“A lot of people were leaving cars on the road for two to three months and going on holiday, inconveniencing others. It should be only for people who stay there.
“Many are happy we will have these meters. Now, it will be easier for residents and their visitors to find parking.”
He estimated there could be about 200 parking spots.
Meters would be installed in other communities if parking facilities were misused, he said.
Emaar had no comment.
mcroucher@thenational.ae
pkannan@thenational.ae
