Dig a space, someone steals it? How to handle it?

[intogamer]

Where in boston are you? haha

Key that motherF#@$#@$'s car

 

[Colt45]

12lb sledgehammer.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Great thread so far.

I don't know how all of you people can act like the OP is whining for something unjust here. What you need to keep in mind is *his house is the ONLY house that doesn't have a driveway*. Anyone who parks in this spot is ONLY doing it because they are too lazy to clear out their own driveway--thats pretty fvcked up. On top of that, this neighbor of his THREW the trash can into his yard--What a slap in the face, I would be really pissed about that.

If confronting isn't an option, I would seriously consider doing something like watering his car.

Arent you like 15?

21?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Remedy
They are NOT using it for anything. They (City) can legally have you take down the gate and make it a full fence to NOT represent a driveway.

I'm sure the city can decide for a number of reasons to pull your driveway permit. But I can't find any Boston city ordinance to the effect that you have to park in your driveway, whether it's snowing or not. If you have a source on this (and not "some guy told me that's how it works"), please post it.

I can understand why there might be one, though -- issuance of residential parking permits assumes that people with driveways will not be taking up street parking spaces most of the time.

 

[Remedy]

Edit: Google searching isn't turning up anything obvious in terms of city ordinances. You need a permit to install a driveway or build a house with one, and you can't shovel snow out of your driveway onto the street/sidewalk, but I can't find anything saying you actually have to park in it when it snows (or at any other time). Obviously if you don't have a street parking permit you would only be allowed to park in your private driveway or a garage. If you have a source on why they should be required to park in their driveway, please post it.

I think the laws may have changed. But, last time I check with other neighbors, they stated the same thing I said.

The neighbor next door to him had an issue like this earlier in Jan. he had a driveway with nothing in it. He put an old Honda in it to show a sign of active use. The city didn't fall for it and had him remove the Honda. The complaint someone made was that, he used the Honda to block anyone from parking in front of his house. But, because they threaten him that having a non active driveway and not allowing anyone to park near the vicinity, the honda was a bluff. So, it's now gone.

So, somewhere along these lines, there is some form of regulation on driveway usage may it be active or non active.

It doesn't sound like this is the problem.

It may very well be after checking out their property. They have more than 2 vehicles, but for some reason they won't use the driveway with the vehicles. I'm guessing when they bought the house, the driveway may have NOT been under Permit to allot a vehicle. But, it's still a driveway.

 

[acole1]

Solution 1: Shovel the snow out of his driveway onto and around his car. Then politely ask him to move his car into his driveway.

Solution 2: Shovel the snow from his driveway into a mound in front of his door.

Solution 3: I like the buckets of water on top of the car the best. Not permanently damaging (and possibly not illegal?), but very annoying. Just make sure it seals the doors shut.

Solution 4: Combine all previous solutions into one great solution. Shovel snow in front of door, ice down the car, then call and ask him to move it into his driveway.

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: preCRT
Snow parking hell was one reason why my dad moved from Dorchester to the boonies years ago.

At the time, my folks had one car, no driveway & parked on the street. Like every snow storm, we'd dig out dad's car & he'd leave for work. Most neighbors respected the 'law' of you dig it, you own it. One night, dad came home & someone else had parked in "his" space. So he parked in an open spot a few houses down. Around 2am, the entire street is woken up by a drunk screaming at the top of his lungs "who the F*** parked in my spot? Whoever owns this g-d d*mn Volkswagon better wake up & move it from my spot". My folks had the only VW on the street. Mom prayed the neighbors stayed quiet, dad ignored the drunk. Someone finally called the cops after the guy spent 30 min ranting & banging on doors. They hauled his drunk butt out.

The city should grant you a driveway permit. Or consider moving to a place with a drivway.

They indeed do act like this. I just don't understand the persons mentality that to just get up, move the barrel, place the vehicle there and walk away when you have your own property to use and shovel.

The city won't allow us to have a permit to make a driveway because of Dig Safe and regulations. (gas pipes underground)

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Yea, I live in Chicago... and that's a definate no-no anywhere in the city.

The whole "spot ownership" thing is a really big deal after a big snow. It's just an accepted thing around here. You move someone's placeholder, you better at least consider that you might not have a driveable car in the morning.

Luckily, I moved out to the burbs and have a garage and a proper driveway (and a really nice neighbor with a plow).

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: Tizyler

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Great thread so far.

I don't know how all of you people can act like the OP is whining for something unjust here. What you need to keep in mind is *his house is the ONLY house that doesn't have a driveway*. Anyone who parks in this spot is ONLY doing it because they are too lazy to clear out their own driveway--thats pretty fvcked up. On top of that, this neighbor of his THREW the trash can into his yard--What a slap in the face, I would be really pissed about that.

If confronting isn't an option, I would seriously consider doing something like watering his car.

Arent you like 15?

21?

Werent you posting complaining about your parents, not being able to drive, your bratty sister, etc a while back? It sure wasnt 6 years ago.

 

[thehstrybean]

Ice the sucker down...

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: Tizyler

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: Tizyler
Great thread so far.

I don't know how all of you people can act like the OP is whining for something unjust here. What you need to keep in mind is *his house is the ONLY house that doesn't have a driveway*. Anyone who parks in this spot is ONLY doing it because they are too lazy to clear out their own driveway--thats pretty fvcked up. On top of that, this neighbor of his THREW the trash can into his yard--What a slap in the face, I would be really pissed about that.

If confronting isn't an option, I would seriously consider doing something like watering his car.

Arent you like 15?

21?

Werent you posting complaining about your parents, not being able to drive, your bratty sister, etc a while back? It sure wasnt 6 years ago.

No.. I've had my license since I was 16.. and my sister and I get along fine--and hey, I like my parents!

Edit: Gram

 

[Savij]

Even better...shovel his driveway for him and place all snow on and around his car. Then water it overnight.

 

[nweaver]

I know how hard it is to keep lawns green in Boston, If I were you, I would make sure you water that front strip now, to make sure it's good and ready for summertime.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Remedy

Edit: Google searching isn't turning up anything obvious in terms of city ordinances. You need a permit to install a driveway or build a house with one, and you can't shovel snow out of your driveway onto the street/sidewalk, but I can't find anything saying you actually have to park in it when it snows (or at any other time). Obviously if you don't have a street parking permit you would only be allowed to park in your private driveway or a garage. If you have a source on why they should be required to park in their driveway, please post it.

I think the laws may have changed. But, last time I check with other neighbors, they stated the same thing I said.

The neighbor next door to him had an issue like this earlier in Jan. he had a driveway with nothing in it. He put an old Honda in it to show a sign of active use. The city didn't fall for it and had him remove the Honda. The complaint someone made was that, he used the Honda to block anyone from parking in front of his house. But, because they threaten him that having a non active driveway and not allowing anyone to park near the vicinity, the honda was a bluff. So, it's now gone.

So, somewhere along these lines, there is some form of regulation on driveway usage may it be active or non active.

It doesn't sound like this is the problem.

It may very well be after checking out their property. They have more than 2 vehicles, but for some reason they won't use the driveway with the vehicles. I'm guessing when they bought the house, the driveway may have NOT been under Permit to allot a vehicle. But, it's still a driveway.

Some more searching:

This Globe article: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac.../in_shovels_wake_cones_cans_and_fists/

says:

City officials say residents have become too possessive with public parking spots and are leaving the savers out all the time, not just immediately after snowstorms like the blizzard that hit the Northeast on Sunday, said Seth Gitell, a spokesman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Message Board Is saving shoveled spots fair? Photo Gallery MORE PHOTOS: Saving parking spots after the storm

''The Public Works Department will remove whatever space-savers people have left out," he said. ''The streets of the city belong to all the people of the city."

By law, Boston residents are allowed to reserve parking spots they shoveled out after a snowstorm for 48 hours by placing an object on the pavement as a space-saver, Gitell said.

However, nobody can actually seem to find a law that says this.

This page:

http://www.cityofboston.gov/snow/parking.asp

Says this:

Any Space-savers in on-street parking spaces that have been cleared should be removed 48 hours after a snow storm has ended.

But that's not a law either. The only thing you can really imply from that is that such items will be removed by the DPW only after 48 hours. It doesn't say that other people can't remove them, or that such items actually "reserve" the space for you and you alone.

In the discussion thread linked off that Globe article (http://boards.boston.com/n/pfx/forum.as...es&tsn=83&tid=44&webtag=bc-house_home), a number of people brought up a really good point: in many cases, there are more cars on a block than street spaces. Are the people who had to park somewhere else (maybe in a pay lot) or were out of town when the snow fell just SOL for the next two or three days? When parking spots are as scarce as they are, it is reasonable for you to get to stake one out ONLY during/after a snowstorm?

Someone else in that discussion thread posted a law reference that implies you can't leave things in street parking spaces:

Leaving an object other than a registered vehicle in a public street is simply littering:
Boston Municipal Code chapter 16 section 12.8

No person shall, in or upon any way, street, alley, or other public place within the City, nor in or upon any estate within the City, whether such person is in or upon a vehicle or on foot, deposit, drop or throw, and suffer to remain there, any filth, rubbish, litter so-called, or any other substance, without the permission of the owner or person in charge thereof, nor in any way or manner otherwise prohibited.

Cambridge says:

http://www.cambridgema.gov/alert.cfm?alert_id=49

But that doesn't say much about Boston proper.

Boston municipal code:

http://www.amlegal.com/library/ma/boston.shtml

If there's something addressing this, it's in there somewhere.

I still can't find anything about people being forced to actually park in their driveway.

Yeah, I'm bored at work.

Edit: holy stupidly long link breaking the page, Batman.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Go knock on the offender's door and ask him to stop being such a (removed) or you'll (removed)-start his head.

A trashcan or other large item is a pretty clear "Space is taken" sign, and he's a toolbox for not respecting it.

Or you can just let the air out of his tires. If he likes that space so much, maybe he can stay there.

- M4H

Remove wheels + put car on cinder blocks = much more effective.

Or use the solution to all of life's problems: Thermite.

 

[Anubis]

park in their driveway

 

[bctbct]

Ice down the spot and the road, push him out into the street, park your car, call the cops.

 

[orakle]

Lift the front end of the car up with a jack (with wheels) and move it. We did that to someone that was parked in front of the shipping garage at my university.

 

[johnjbruin]

By law, Boston residents are allowed to reserve parking spots they shoveled out after a snowstorm for 48 hours by placing an object on the pavement as a space-saver, Gitell said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac.../in_shovels_wake_cones_cans_and_fists/

I don't think it is necessary that your neighbors threw the trash back in your house. It could just be the city workers. Read the article above. It has been 48 hrs since the storm so legally you have no right to 'reserve' the spot anymore.

 

[BooGiMaN]

i dont know how things work out where you live but the fact your trash can was tossed back in your yard kinda shows they knew what was up and decided to be an ass about it.

i mean wouldnt they have just set the trashcan on the sidewalk otherwise?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: johnjbruin

By law, Boston residents are allowed to reserve parking spots they shoveled out after a snowstorm for 48 hours by placing an object on the pavement as a space-saver, Gitell said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac.../in_shovels_wake_cones_cans_and_fists/

I don't think it is necessary that your neighbors threw the trash back in your house. It could just be the city workers. Read the article above. It has been 48 hrs since the storm so legally you have no right to 'reserve' the spot anymore.

If you read through the commentary attached to that article, nobody has been able to actually point out a law or city ordinance that says anything like this. Someone in the mayor's office giving a misleading soundbyte to a Globe reporter does not make something a law.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

we need some pics of the situation...

 

[Phil21]

hahaha

Man, I moved to Chicago about 2 years ago now. This was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever witnessed. It snows (like 4 inches, oh noes!!!) and retards put crap out in the street to "save their spot". Are you kidding me?

Where I live, there are not enough spots at night for everyone to actually park. Basically, if you get unlucky you're gonna be driving around for an hour or two if you want a spot within 5-6 blocks.

So, with that in mind, I'm supposed to come home after work, see half the street NOT being parked in but with some dude's old lawn chair there and NOT park? Yeah right.

I've long since got rid of my car here, as it was more trouble than it was worth. However, I do have fun whenever it snows removing all the "this is MY saved parking spot, lolz!" items and putting them in one spot on my block. Slowly it seems to be having an effect, as I see less and less of these idiotic things littering the street. Sure, I might get shot but it's well worth the risk to remove these idiot's sense of entitlement.

Stupidest "common knowledge" policy ever. I had to dig my car out just like everyone else on the block to GET to work. I did NOT expect that spot to be there when I got home, and had no right to even consider that possibility to begin with. Don't like it? Pay more for an apartment with a garage spot which are plentiful for an extra $300-500/mo. Not my fault you're cheap!

-Phil

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: Phil21

I've long since got rid of my car here, as it was more trouble than it was worth. However, I do have fun whenever it snows removing all the "this is MY saved parking spot, lolz!" items and putting them in one spot on my block. Slowly it seems to be having an effect, as I see less and less of these idiotic things littering the street. Sure, I might get shot but it's well worth the risk to remove these idiot's sense of entitlement.

Haha, this is probably the best idea I've heard yet.

 

[topslop1]

Poop on the windshield.