Posted on 09/14/2013 10:47:07 AM PDT by lowbridge
It sounds absurd: tickets and warning letters for parking in your own driveway.
But Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor says it’s happened on two city streets – one in the West End and one in Squirrel Hill. And he fears, it could happen elsewhere.
“This could happen tomorrow to any resident of the city of Pittsburgh,” said O’Connor.
“This is where I’ve been parking for over 18 years,” said Eileen Freedman, as she pointed at the driveway to her home on Hobart Street in Squirrel Hill.
She says she recently got a warning letter from the Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Building Inspection.
“We’re no longer allowed to use our driveway to park, because of a law that says you have to park at least 30 feet away from the street,” said Freedman.
She says there wouldn’t be space to park 30 feet back between her home and the neighboring one because it’s just too narrow.
A pregnant mother of seven who lives across the street is trying to follow the rule, but can’t get out of the driver’s side of her van anymore. She has to crawl out of the passenger’s side when she parks the vehicle between her home and her neighbor’s.
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburgh.cbslocal.com ...
The law is unconstitutional because the city has no right or control thereof property it does not own. Patent bullshit Gestapo tactics meant to forces law abiding citizens to their will without benefit of the law being on their side. Unless their right of way extends up the driveway they are just bullshitting.
I ain’t stupid, I see what is going on in my city and this likely applies to Pittsburgh too. The elites are attempting to transition people from cars to bicycles, no sheet. There are parts of downtown blocked off from cars, parking lots are getting eaten up by new construction and rent a bike stalls are popping up.
They will allow you to squat on their land as long as the taxes are paid and you follow all the rules for using their land.
Even in Williamsburg Va...the Colonial Capital...way back when...they had rules about fencing and animals running around.
I’d say they are kicking the encouragement to abandon our automobiles into high gear.
Is there supposed to be some reason for this incredibly stupid law, or do they just enjoy being a-holes?
Be careful who you vote for.
Yankee liberal nonsense. These people want to move down here because they screwed up the north. STAY AWAY!
My first time in China, people were poor and everyone rode a bicycle. There were a few motor vehicles. Only time I saw a nice car (i.e. Mercedes sedan) it was Party officials.
My 2nd time in China, years later, China was more rich and prosperous courtesy the USA and other countries sending their jobs to China. Few bicycles, cars and motorcycles plus more buses and trucks.
When the USA was prosperous, motor vehicles....as the USA becomes a poor former-1st World country, more bicycles.
Like China when it was poor....
There is a lesson here, but not one Liberals or Obababots could ever figure out.
I’m starting to feel like America is getting everything it voted for and finally getting all the government they paid for.
....sorry if not clear....2nd time in China, few bicycles but heavy motor vehicle traffic...people more prosperous and discarded their bicycles for motorcycles, cars, vans, trucks, etc.
This is obviously NOT true. The simple fact is that a city CAN and DOES have the power to set land usage regulations within its borders. I was on a city board some years ago and a bunch of town-beautifiers tried getting RVs outlawed from being parked in front of houses.
The city DID have the power to do that - it was just political suicide to do it. What they couldn’t do (in CA) was to make it illegal to park in front of your house. That was governed by CA State driving codes, etc. However - they could cite for being parked for longer than 72 hours for ANY vehicle - State Code provides for that.
Your mileage may vary per state - but I suspect any municipality has the authority to set rules affecting your property rights. Happens all the time and courts allow it.
Note - I think it SUCKS!
I just re-read this - I need to distinguish between “in front of your house IN YOUR DRIVEWAY” and “in front of your house on the public street.” The city COULD control in a driveway, but not on the street.
We have winner!
Seems house sideline setbacks are 15 feet...so and I quote the chief honcho"...if you're walking along and look down the opening, you won't see the shed".
I couldn't help myself...I said "you mean the board has 8 dummies including yourself"?
I’d say they are kicking the encouragement to kick their collective a$$e$ to the curb into high gear.
Well, thank goodness for government regulations. I don't know what I'd do if I were walking along and happened to see a shed.
Agenda 21.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.