Hey, I read your interview on Streetsblog and I wanted to comment on the part about your neighbors paving over grass to make a parking space.
I'm not sure about the planning code in your area of the city, but my (possibly WRONG) understanding is that removing a lawn and replacing it with concrete is illegal in most parts of the city unless you get a permit first. And nobody does. Not sure if you can do anything about it when it's done rather than in-progress, but you might want to look into that.
And if you do find out the deal-i-o on that, I would love to know what it is.
Have nice photographs of sidewalk parking and blight? Have any other tips, tricks, and even criticism? Let the Department have it.
Hall of shame
What you can do
Report sidewalk parking at the DPT Dispatch number:
415-553-1200
In most cases, they will come and ticket all cars parked on the sidewalk on the entire block. The tickets will say that they are due to a complaint, but they will NOT identify you in any way. It is our Department's position that it's best to not confront people about their sidewalk parking before you call the DPT, because they might figure out it was you who called and be misguided enough to retaliate against your person or property.
The SFDSP also recommends that you not feel bad for calling the DPT on your fellow residents. It is they who are breaking the law and imposing their will on the rest of the neighborhood, by endangering others, and by degrading the looks and value of the public realm for their own short-term gain. The sidewalks are public space and it is illegal to park on any portion of it. The tickets are well deserved and also mean revenue for the city. If you don't complain to the authorities, if you don't make it known that you don't want cars on the sidewalks, nothing will ever change. In DPT spokesperson Maggie Lynch's own words:
"If there's a problem on your street, draw our attention to it. Let us know."
We also encourage you to send emails to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. The more political pressure there is in favor of a crack down on sidewalk parking, the higher the chances of things actually changing.
No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:
[...]
(f) On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk, except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance, as specified in Section 21114.5. Lights, mirrors, or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this code may extend from the body of the vehicle over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.
You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteHey, I read your interview on Streetsblog and I wanted to comment on the part about your neighbors paving over grass to make a parking space.
I'm not sure about the planning code in your area of the city, but my (possibly WRONG) understanding is that removing a lawn and replacing it with concrete is illegal in most parts of the city unless you get a permit first. And nobody does. Not sure if you can do anything about it when it's done rather than in-progress, but you might want to look into that.
And if you do find out the deal-i-o on that, I would love to know what it is.
Not good. Nice job with the baby stroller.
ReplyDeletewow...someone has WAY too much free time on his hands.
ReplyDelete