Similar ordinances have been introduced in October 2015 and June 2016.
DEAL -- For the third time in almost two years, this wealthy Jersey Shore borough of nearly 1,000 full-time residents will attempt to restrict parking near the beachfront.
An ordinance seeking parking restrictions is scheduled to be introduced at Wednesday night's Board of Commissioners meeting in borough hall. (Read the full text below)
The ordinance, which would require parking permits on five streets, has been met with strong opposition from fishermen, surfers and beach-access advocates who say it infringes on the public's right to access the beaches.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that Deal, which is sandwiched between Loch Arbour and Long Branch, is the recent recipient of a $40 million taxpayer-funded beach replenishment project.
"This is another attempt to keep people away from the newly replenished beaches, paid for with your tax money," said Andrew Chambarry, a local attorney who works with the Citizens in Opposition to Beach Restrictive Access (COBRA), a beach access watchdog group.
The borough has introduced similar parking ordinances in October 2015 and June 2016. Those ordinances received pushback from COBRA, who drove scores of opponents to public meetings. They were subsequently tabled by the borough's three-member commission.
The ordinance to be introduced Wednesday night seeks to enforce parking permits on Monmouth Terrace, Monmouth Drive, Hathaway Avenue, Sydney Avenue and Neptune Avenue from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
The permits, which would cost $100 for the season or $50 per month, would be required on vehicles parked on the entire length of Monmouth Terrace. Parking permits would be required on the other four streets listed in the ordinance from Monmouth Terrace to Ocean Avenue.
Deal officials will introduce a parking ordinance Wednesday night that requires permit passes on five streets near the beachfront. (Google maps) After officials tabled the ordinance in July, Mayor Sam Cohen said he would involve members of the public in future discussions.
Chambarry said in an email that he met with borough officials about a month ago, and they told him the borough would start enforcing two-hour parking on the streets listed in the ordinance.
Two other popular beach access points in the borough, Darlington Road and Deal Esplanade, already enforce two-hour parking restrictions.
But then they suddenly backed off from that plan, Chambarry said.
"It was a surprise to us," he said.
Borough officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deal has long been a destination for Jersey Shore residents, surfers and fisherman who seek the borough's square-mile of unprotected beaches as a place to escape the bustling nearby Shore destinations.
Deal doesn't attract the scores of visitors during the summer because it doesn't have the same amenities -- no boardwalk, bathrooms or concession stands -- as other popular beach towns.
But that's also what makes land in the borough so attractive, beach-access advocates say. The streets are lined with multi-million dollar properties with large driveways and premier ocean views.
NJ Advance Media has unsuccessfully tried to reach residents for comment throughout its coverage of the parking battle. But officials have said residents often complain about the trash left behind by beachgoers and having to see surfers changing from wetsuits into street clothes in public.
The public will get a chance to voice their concerns during the public comment portion of Wednesday night's meetings.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.