Cars parked in street

We live in Southern Walk, and the family across the street constantly parks their third car in the street. I have hit it almost twice backing out of my driveway in the wee early hours when it is dark out side and visibility is low. I saw in the newsletter that they are not suppose to park in the street. Now I want us to all get a long, so I can be more cautious about backing out of my driveway but my larger concern is when it is winter which it will be shortly and it snows. That car becomes a hazard and a giant snow wall behind my car when backing out. What is the policy on this and besides a very small article on it in the newsletter, can we make this a larger issue with winter around the corner, like front page or larger headlines? Mailings in mailboxes - something? Or what other recourse do I have to ensure that I can back out of my driveway safely during the winter?

 

We have the same problem in our townhouse development in Southern Walk (maybe the same one). The people don't live near me but I have had to drive by their car often through the street with construction traffic coming in and out. I have noticed that it's not there as much anymore.

I've noticed a lot of the curbs are painted yellow which is to deter this practice but not sure what the deal is. There is overflow parking lots for a reason.

 

There was an article about this in the HOA newsletter that just came out. Might want to cut out the article and leave it on this person's car.

 

Yeah that might be a good idea. I think the article in the newsletter was a little "hidden" to get attention.

 

You can also complain/mention this to the HOA board or Wes, and they can do a separate mailing that would be focused on this issue and it would be mailed to just your neighborhood. We got a similar notice several months ago about our neighbors that would park their cars 2 deep in a TH driveway and blocking the sidewalks and street.

 

The HOA can tow illegally parked vehicles. Contact Wes Schroeder with suspected violations. We genaerally post a notice on the car about planned towing. If the car is not moved, it will be towed.
Cliff

 

What is the official HOA rule(s) regarding on street parking? Is there a limit on the # of vehicles a resident may park on the street? What is the best way to contact a suspected violator? Is it a violation to park two vehicles on the street in front of home 24/7?

 

kholbert-
It all depends on what type of streets (VDOT or private). Essentially, most of the streets within Broadlands will at some point be turned over to VDOT. There are no restrictions on parking cars on VDOT streets. Someone can park all their cars on the street and as long as they have current inspections and license tags, there's nothing that can be done about it.
Private streets are under the direct control of the HOA, so we have more latitude on the rules for parking in the streets.
I don't know how you can identify the owner of a suspected violator, other than seeing them get in or out of the car.
If you have any questions about specific streets, contact Wes Schroeder at the HOA office.
Cliff

 

So basically what you are saying is that if our street is public, and ours is, and there is a camper/van and the family has like 4 cars, we have no recourse at all - even though:

a). It is unsafe for backing out
b). In the winter this will be a safety hazard and issue for snow plows
c). It is just impolite to own that many cars or not use your DRIVEWAY and use the street instead so it does not inconvience you but your neighbors and that is ok

Unless their tags are expired, there is nothing that can be done. Just want to be clear on this, before we get snow and the car is covered by a wall made by snow and their car gets hit, because I cannot see back out or see it otherwise.

 

hberg-
All correct except the part about campers. These are not allowed on our streets, even the public ones, and the HOA can tow them.

 

I spoke to Wes and he said that although campers are not allowed, conversion vans are. One of the vehicles continuously parked on our street is a conversion van. The owner of the vehicles parked on our street are in full compliance with HOA rules. However, it would be more considerate if they used their driveway instead of clogging our narrow cul-du-sac. On the flipside, vehicles parked on streets tends to slow thru traffic since motorist perceive less room for error. Slower traffic on a street with 36 kids should be considered a good thing.

 

The downside to that is that a child was hit by a car on our street a few months ago when he rode his bike down a driveway into the street.
A large pickup truck was parked in front ofd the driveway and the driver never saw him coming.

 

What about cars that are parked on the side of the street that is clearly marked "fire lane"? This happens regularly on my street. The curbs are painted bright yellow and there are signs that say "no parking or standing", but residents and visitors park there anyway -- sometimes for 3 or 4 hours at a time. I've been tempted to call the sheriff's department, but I haven't yet. I know this is against the law, and it jeopardizes the fire department's ability to respond to a fire. Could we get a reminder inserted into the next newsletter? If so, who do I contact?

 

Contact Wes Schroeder at the HOA office, 729-9711, whenever you see a vehicle parked in a fire lane. We will have it towed.

 

That's not the truck's fault. Perhaps the child should have looked before he ventured out into the street, hmm?

I do agree about the parking of cars on the street though, especially up Demott...there's always several parked there that you have to swerve around.

 

Wow. Most people would be grateful if all they had to complain about was a legally-parked car that slightly inconvenienced them when they were backing out of the driveway of their half-million dollar house!

 

That's an excellent point...well said.

 

Hmmm ... not really. A safety hazard is a safety hazard regardless of how much your home costs. If you can't back out of your driveway, due to snow buildup with the car parked directly behind then it's a concern. But it looks like the neighborhood roads used a very small plow that got into tight spaces so I don't think it is a concern anymore?