“Placing objects in the lot frontage strip directly in front of your property to prevent others from parking there is illegal,” warned Atherton Deputy City Clerk Judi Herren in an email to residents on May 26.
“If less than 6 feet back from the edge of the pavement they are subject to removal at the homeowner’s expense, and the homeowner can be found personally liable for any damages or injuries that might occur from a vehicle driving into these obstructions,” said Herren’s note.
Why place these rocks or tree stumps in the first place?
“Normally it’s a petty argument between neighbors, for the most part,” said Atherton City Council member Bill Widmer on Tuesday. “People are feeling they don’t want someone parking in front of their house. Maybe it starts with construction vehicles in the area, then the blocks never leave. Or people move into houses where they are and don’t know to move them. It’s been going on for quite a while.”
Widmer said that the town sending notices around to residents about the issue started a couple of years ago, as part of planning for putting bike lanes in the town.
“We told them, ‘You’re going to have to move these things,” Widmer said. “They can cause bodily injuries and property damage.’”
City Manager George Rodericks said the town is taking a proactive stance on the issue, with Code Enforcement Officer Monica Diaz enforcing the ordinance — Atherton Municipal Code Section 12.06.100(D) — when she spots a violation, or a complaint is filed.
If a citation is issued, the fine is $100 to $500 per day.
“They get a period to comply,” said Widmer. “Then the town can go out and remove them, then charge the homeowner.”
Widmer noted that sometimes homeowners use the objects within 6 to 8 feet of their driveways just to force a clear field of view for exiting their driveways.
via NAIJA Society
http://ift.tt/2huhMvk
No comments:
Post a Comment