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Towing cars

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by vacliff, Oct 21, 2009.

  1. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    You may not think its not a safety issue, but I do. When kids are forced to ride their bikes into the street than stay on the sidewalk that becomes a safety issue. I often see neighbors double park in their driveway blocking the sidewalk when 40 feet away is empty spaces. Even if when the lot is full, its only a 30 second walk to the end of the street where there is parking for a hundred cars. They are lazy and they don't care, that's the bottom line in my opinion. I could care less if the towing company damages their car. Take it up with the company and next time don't park illegally. When there's no spaces I don't double park, I park at the end of the street and use my feet. No reason others can't do the same.
     
  2. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    I'm sorry I don't make enough money to live in a SFH or a 2-car garage TH so I have to use my garage for storage. Some don't choose not to use their garage, we just can't.
     
  3. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Yup, heard this one before. These are the types that block the big fire trucks when they come to put out the big fires. Park out on the main road if you can't find a legal parking space!

     
  4. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    Actually I park in my driveway and I have ONE car that's just for me. Talk to the people that have 3 or more cars for only 2 drivers.
     
  5. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Which is why I said 'get one third of the people...'

    It's choices - not 'I have to'. You chose to use your garage for storage instead of another room in the house. Other people chose to have more cars then they have space for rather then ride share or some other alternative. You chose to live in an area that may be nicer or closer to where you want to be, but may not have as much space as somewhere else.

    It's always choices. Its simple truth that most people chose to use their garage (which was built for cars) for extra space rather then for their car. Well then one must live with the result of those choices - not complain parking standards are out of date.

    The idea of adding more parking is just fantasy. There is no room, and in the few places there is room - are you willing to pay the thousands of dollars in special exceptions per home to build it? I can guess that the people who don't need 2-3 extra parking spaces won't be willing to pay for those people who do.

    The reality is there is limited parking. A problem exaggerated by people who don't use their garage for cars. Adding parking isn't an option - so all you can do is reduce the NEED for parking. Solutions - not just complaints.
     
  6. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Fair enough.

    The issue is the County considers a garage a parking space. So when the builder goes to get zoning they use the garage spaces as a parking space count. There's a ratio of housing to parking that must be met. Unfortunately, a lot of people use garages for other things than parking. Therefore, the ratio gets skewed.

    I will say when the parking issue was hot and heavy several folks came forward with some alternative parking space painting schemes that added parking. In those cases changes were made, but only after being approved by the fire marshall. The fire marshall actually recommended a couple changes that added spaces.

     
  7. Mazinger

    Mazinger New Member

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    Giving tow companies free reign to tow is not good.

    I prefer the HOA have the authority to tow and not some tow truck driver.
     
  8. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    I like! :clap:

    The two most common parking violations that I see in our neighborhood
    1) Blocking the sidewalk.
    2) Facing traffic

    These two, and the OP's reference to parking in Fire Lanes are selfish, lazy and show a blatant disregard for the neighbors families and their safety.

    WWMRD? (What would Mr. Rogers Do?)
     
  9. Shyam333

    Shyam333 New Member

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    I am all for contracting a towing service to remove illegaly parked cars as long as the previously mentioned things are in play.
    Just to recap
    1. They have proof (digital picture) of the illegal parking. Towing company will use all standard precautions as to not dmg the car.
    2. We inform everyone in the community (newsletters, fliers in mail boxes) about the changes and the start date for it.
    3. It will be at no cost to the HOA or it generates some income.

    Shyam
     
  10. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The Board is still reviewing this, but based on our discussions,
    1. This will be done.
    2. Announcements in Newsletter...Yes. Flyers in mailbox...No (that is illegal.)
    3. It will be at no cost to HOA, but will not generate income.
     
  11. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The HOA Board voted to move forward with contracting for (not paying for) towing services.
    It will apply to HOA maintained private streets only. This would be townhome streets, Overland Park, Courtyard Home streets, Sundial and Sundance.
    Cars that are parked in fire lanes or blocking sidewalks will be eligible to be towed.
    Photos will be taken of the cars towed.
    All entrances to streets will be marked with warning signs.
    This will be advertised in the next few newsletters.
    We are looking at a March 1 implementation date.
     
  12. jaxmanjoe

    jaxmanjoe Blah, Blah, Blah

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    Just make sure you use a reputable company. Some towing companies will tow legally parked cars just to increase their revenues. I've even seen some employ movable "Tow Away Zone" signs for the purpose of taking evidence pictures to 'justify' their towing. You should monitor them closely to make sure this does not happen here.

    Otherwise, I hope it works out. If not, we can put dead carcasses on illegally parked cars and let the vultures work for us for a change :)
     
  13. lauralynne

    lauralynne Member

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    Will they tow a car parked "within 10 ft of a mailbox" at NIGHT?

    Just wondering, since mail is not delivered at night. Occasionally I have a small dinner party on a weekend evening. The first 2 cars to arrive will park in my driveway. I have always directed the other 4 or so cars to park on the non-fire-lane side of the street. Once towing enforcement starts in March, where should my guests park? On Saturday evenings, a lot of people are likely to have guests over, and I'm concerned that there may not be enough non-garage space that is 10 ft away from every mailbox in each direction.
     
  14. msflynn

    msflynn New Member

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    Re: Will they tow a car parked "within 10 ft of a mailbox" at NIGHT?

    The only enforcement that the HOA board voted to add at this time is parking in a Fire Lane and the blocking of passage on a sidewalk. All other parking rules and regulations will continue to be enforced as they currently have been.

    Staci
     
  15. T-Bone

    T-Bone New Member

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    DOes this only start on March 1?

    I am looking out my window today and see that there are several cars parked in the fire lane (which made it very difficult for me to get into my driveway) and I was wondering what can be done?
     
  16. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Yes, the actual towing begins on March 1st; this is to allow ample time to give notice to all residents as to what to expect, etc. In the meantime, check if your street is a VDOT maintained street (look at the snow plowing information in the latest newsletters); if it is then you can contact the Sheriff's non-emergency number and they will come down and have the vehicles towed.

    The new towing policy only affects HOA maintained roads. For all other roads, you can contact the Sheriff's office anytime and they will handle the situation for you.
     
  17. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    You should be able to call the Sheriff's office non emergency number and they'll take care of it. The cars might be gone by the time they get there cuz it's not exactly a priority.
     
  18. decalr

    decalr Member

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    Why HOA maintained streets only?

    What is the definition of a commercial vehicle? (I read the newsletter but have questions. If I am a plumber with my information on my vehicle, is that a problem? If I need to tow equipment for work, is that a problem? (I am a social worker married to a librarian.)
     
  19. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The HOA does not have the authority to tow cars for parking/driveway blocking violations on VDOT maintained streets.
    The definitions of commercial vehicles and the size limit of signage is in the Broadlands Declaration. You should have received a copy when you purchased your home.
     
  20. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    From the Parking resolution currently in place. FYI - This is not a new resolution. It was approved by the BOD in June of 2003.

    Restrictions on the Parking and Storage of Vehicles

    A. General These restrictions on the parking and storage of vehicles are applicable to Common Areas, Common Area parking lots, Private Streets, and Roadways.

    1. No recreational vehicle may be parked or stored in open view of residential property, residential streets or open space or other Common Area. “Recreational vehicle” is defined as follows:

    • Any boat or boat trailer, canoe, jon-boat, paddleboat, jet skis, sailboat, catamarans, rafts or inflatables and the like.
    • Any motor home or other self-contained camper.
    • Any camper slip-ons where the camper back are 12 inches or higher than the roofline of the cab of the truck.
    • Any mobile home, trailer or fifth-wheel trailer.
    • Any pop-up camper/tent, trailer or other similar recreation oriented portable or transportable facility or conveyance.
    • Any other vehicle not defined above which could not normally or regularly be used for daily transportation, including dune buggies or non-operative automobile collections or other automotive equipment not licensed for use on the highways of Virginia.

    The following vehicles shall be treated in the same manner as recreational vehicles:

    a. Any vehicle that is defined in a State Code or County Ordinance as commercial, except that a normal passenger vehicle used for commercial purposes but not modified for commercial purposes may be permitted. For example, passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks not exceeding ½ ton, or passenger vans used for commercial purposes and having the name of the business written on the front doors in an area not exceeding two square feet may be permitted. Any vehicle described above having exterior racks, compartments or the like will not be permitted.

    b. Any private or public school or church bus.

    c. Motorized vehicles, other than Association owned and operated vehicles, are not permitted on the trails and Common Areas within the community.

    2. Junk or derelict vehicles may not be parked or kept upon any portion of the Common Area or on any portion of a Lot Visible from Neighboring Property (as defined in Article 1, Section 1.1 (38) of the Declaration. A vehicle shall be deemed to be a junk or derelict vehicle, if it does not display valid state license/registration or inspection sticker or if it is missing any necessary parts, such as, but not limited to, tires (flat or inflated), wheels, engines, door, truck, hood, wrecked or smashed body parts, etc. that are necessary for the operation of the vehicle on public or private Streets.

    3. All vehicles must conform to Commonwealth of Virginia and Loudoun County codes, ordinances and statues. All vehicles must bear current license plates, registrations, sticker and certifications as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and Loudoun County.
    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.
    5. No vehicle shall be parked in violation of any posted sign.
    6. All vehicles shall be parked wholly within space lines, as applicable.
    7. No vehicle shall be parked on any grassy or landscaped area.
    8. No vehicle shall be parked on or across any area, including public sidewalks, so as to obstruct pedestrian use and access.
    9. Vehicles may not be parked with any type of “For Sale” sign displayed on the vehicle on any Roadways or Common Area.
    10. Vehicles may not be parked within 10 feet on either side of a mailbox.

    All residents and visitors shall observe and abide by these Parking Regulations and those of State and Loudoun County authorities. Vehicles parked in violation of any such regulations may be towed at the owner’s sole risk and expense.

    The Board of Directors may from time to time, as circumstances dictate, designate certain Private Streets and Roadways as Snow Emergency Routes and temporarily prohibit parking thereon.

    The Board of Directors may, from time to time, restrict parking on certain Private Streets and Roadways or at specific locations on such Streets and Roadways as needs arise and situations dictate.
     

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