Towing cars

I think #4 is a rampant issue on most townhouse streets. How does it get inforced?

4. No vehicle shall be parked in such a manner or in any area that obstructs the safe, free-flow of moving vehicular traffic or obstructs the movements of other vehicles or pedestrians into or out of parking spaces on Public Streets, or Private Roads.

 

This is where blocking of sidewalks and parking in fire lanes comes into play. Those vehicles will be towed. Unfortunately, parking along unmarked curbs (those not painted yellow with a fire lane designation) is legal and although it some times makes getting out of one's driveway difficult - I know I live in a town house where cars consistantly park behind my driveway - they are not considered obstructing traffic.

 

The HOA Board will finalize its policy on this issue at our Board meeting on the 9th. I encourage any residents with an opinion on this issue to send it to the Board or attend the meeting.

 

Maureen:

Thanks for the clarification about commercial vehicles.

 

We'll be there, along with several neighbors with signatures from 99% of our street.

Don't get me wrong I agree with the Fire Lane towing, but towing from the Driveway of a homeowner is a bit much.

 

Only towing if they completely block the sidewalk??? I am ALL for that!

 

I fully support the towing of cars that are are covering the sidewalk, and I will be calling for towing enforcement. Too many of our neighbors park their vehicles two deep, prohibiting anyone from safely walking on the sidewalk. Many times, these vehicles are even sticking out in the street. My children know to stay on the sidewalk when they are outside playing, but too many of our rude neighbors prevent my children from riding their bikes or even walking along the sidewalk. We have a parking lot, and if that is full, the main street is a short walk away with plenty of parking. It's just laziness on their part.

When there are laws to shovel snow off the sidewalk for safety reasons, why should a car be any different. It still prevents individuals from using the sidewalk.

 

a fat blocking-the-sidewalk-in-a-driveway fine sounds like a good deterrent...

 

Mr. Linux,

As we discussed at the last meeting, the issues with the inclusion of our particular street are:

1) it is the ONLY privately owned street that allows for curb parking on both sides of the street.
2) There has NEVER been a complaint filed with the HOA about parking on our street
3) We do not have a Yellow Fire Lane Curb on either side of our street
4) The HOA BoD has yet to determine the guidelines of towing for cars either partially blocking the sidewalk or completely blocking the side walk
5) The HOA Towing a privately owned car from a privately owned driveway/sidewalk
6) The HOA Contractor repeatedly covers the sidewalk with snow, thus blocking passage of the sidewalk.

In addition during the last meeting it was cited that the HOA owns the sidewalk, when in fact they do not, they simply maintain it. Which bodes the follow up question, if the HOA presumptively owns the sidewalk or even maintains it, does this mean in the future the HOA is responsible for clearing the snow from the sidewalk

Again I am in full support of towing vehicles from fire lanes, but as a property owner I draw the line with towing from my private driveway.

As for my statement being FUD, call it what you want but I cite the Feb 10 BHOA Newsletter and subsequent conversations with HOA Members.

In the newsletter it states two different criterion for towing: Back cover (which has a spelling error) it states "blocking passage of the sidewalk
Page 15; which reads in part "cars parked in driveways but completely blocking the sidewalk"

 

This isn't about feelings it is due to the fact that our street is the ONLY Privately owned street within in the community that; is not painted with a yellow fire lane curb, thus allowing for parking on both sides of the street.

These are facts, not feelings.

As for #5 - there have been mixed messages about who actually owns the sidewalks on privately owned streets, which is why we asked the question.

As an elected member of the HOA, frankly I find your response rather condescending and inflexible considering that afore mentioned facts. We have legitimate concerns about the HOA contracting a towing company and what if any affect it would have on our street and/or property. I would expect members of the board would be willing to discuss this in a civil and productive manner versus belittling a homeowner about the concerns.

 

Pea - I too am a bit perplexed why you feel your street should be exempt.
As you do not have any fire lanes, you have more available parking then most HOA controlled streets. With this excess parking, there should be absolutely no excuse for blocking a sidewalk trying to squeeze a car into one's driveway.

 

I too am against towing cars from driveways. It is out of proportion to the problem. (I do not park on the sidewalk or block the sidewalk.)

 

I am against towing all together. I mean, are the other parking issues REALLY a problem either? What are the odds that a fire truck would really need that fire lane? And can't a mailperson just get out of their vehicle to put mail in the box, the exercise would do them well and who really cares if they have to do this for a few hundred mailboxes. That can't add that much time to their route, can it?

As for the parking in driveways and blocking sidewalks, the kids can walk in the streets. Not like there are any speeders in our community or drivers who are distracted by cell phone use.

Yeah, let's keep this issue on a proportional basis because we all know that these silly rules are meaningless and no one really ever gets hurt.

 

Don't get me wrong I agree that those who block the entire passage of the sidewalk are in violation of County Ordinances and are subject to being towed.

With respect to our street, again we are the only privately owned street, that meets VDOT guidelines (due to the width of the street) for 2 way traffic with cars parked on both sides of the curb, thus our street wouldn't be subject to fire lane enforcement by the towing company. The real issues is what are the guidelines for towing from a driveway as it relates to blocking the sidewalk.

With the lack of clarification on sidewalk towing guidelines; are cars towed from a driveway if they only block 10% of the sidewalk or 100%...this caused uncertainty for homeowners.