Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clifton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in roads
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Ordinances
New no-turn-on-red restrictions on Van Houten and Valley Road, school crossing designations, and a batch of handicapped parking changes all moved forward.
Main Avenue Streetscape Project design contract
The council was scheduled to award a professional engineering design contract to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. for the NJDOT-funded Main Avenue streetscape project. Streetscape work can mean nicer sidewalks, lighting, and crosswalks along a busy corridor.
Third Street Sidewalk and Curb Improvements Phase 2
The city got the green light to advertise bids for new curbs and sidewalks with ADA upgrades on Third Street, funded by NJDOT state aid.
2025 Road Resurfacing Program completion
The 2025 paving program is done — final cost barely changed from the original award, and the final check to D & L Paving was approved.
Allwood Road improvements and county relations
Residents and council members are frustrated the county won't come back to Clifton to explain the Allwood Road plan after revising it. People want to know if it's fully funded, want left-turn signals at Passaic Avenue, and want assurance no cherry trees will be removed. The mayor asked Commissioner Veliky to arrange another public meeting.
Richfield one-way streets and permit parking
The city is considering digital permit parking plus meters on about 800 downtown spaces at $1.25/hour. It could raise serious revenue (Hoboken-style) but residents worry about visitor passes and business owners worry about lost free parking.
Traffic safety concerns citywide
Residents raised speeding on Nelson Street, missing sidewalks on Allwood Place, and requested a four-way stop at Colfax and Mount Prospect. The council introduced a four-way stop at Gregory and Summer and asked for traffic review of Nelson Street.
Loading zone standards in residential areas
Two business loading-zone requests — 435 Lexington Ave and 241 Crooks Ave — ran into resistance over all-day or 24/7 no-parking near homes and apartments. One passed 4-2, the other was tabled while council crafts a uniform four-hour-window standard.
One-way traffic pattern for Urma Avenue and Pershing Road (Richfield)
Police data showed none of the streets meet the 25% threshold for permit parking, and Friday counts were skipped due to RLUIPA legal constraints tied to the mosque. Residents called the study inadequate and opposed one-way streets.
Richfield parking, traffic and mosque-area congestion
Residents say the Planning Board-approved mosque expansion — from roughly 900 to 1,434 capacity — will overwhelm Pershing Road area streets, and fault the board for shifting the problem to the council.
Richfield permit parking denial
A police-department-drafted one-way street plan for the Richfield section, tied to mosque traffic, drew overwhelming resident opposition. The council suspended its agenda, complained its directives to police were ignored, and agreed to hold a special public meeting before deciding anything.
2026 snow storm response and DPW equipment funding
The after-action report tallied $243,971 in storm costs; the council tripled the Caterpillar repair-parts budget to $150,000 so DPW is not caught short again, and members want more county plow support on city main roads.