Parking Tickets

Cars parked illegally in the streets here in St. Charles Place were ticketed earlier this week. That was the first warning. Violators get one more.

Then they get towed.

Parking must be in driveways, garages or marked spaces.

Also, the prohibition on commercial vehicles is not simply a community rule. It's a county ordinance. Note:

Sec. 6.05.02. Parking And Loading Standards.

Q. Parking of Domestic and Commercial Vehicles, Private Pleasure Crafts, Recreational Vehicles, Utility Trailers and Hobby Vehicles on Residential Property

2. Commercial Vehicles. The parking of commercial vehicles in any residential district is prohibited. This requirement shall not be interpreted to prohibit vehicles from loading and unloading in any residential district. However, on residentially developed parcels in the AM, A, AR, AS-0.4, AS-1 and ASC-1 zoning districts, the parking of one commercial vehicle per deeded lot shall be permitted provided the lot is at least one acre in size and legally recognized under the provisions of this Code. In such cases, the commercial vehicle shall be exclusively operated by a resident of the deeded lot. These requirements, except for minimum lot size, shall not be varied. However, these requirements do not apply to the parking of commercial vehicles on agriculturally zoned parcels when such vehicles are utilized for permitted non-residential activities on the parcel.

That means that the HOA Board of Directors does not have the leeway to make exceptions. This rule is not new. It was in the documents every homeowner got when they signed the contract to buy the home.

Violators who have not been ticketed or towed before now should think of themselves as having a really long grace period. It has now ended. The community itself could face trouble from the county if commercial vehicles are found parked here overnight.

HOA Issues Clog Court Dockets

I came across an interesting article in the St. Petersburg Times today.

It concerns how disputes between homeowners and their HOAs can balloon into major and expensive legal cases for both sides. It's interesting reading from a number of perspectives. Some of them don't apply to us because, for instance, we aren't individually responsible for lawn care around our homes.

It discusses a State Representative from Tampa's effort to create an inexpensive way to resolve HOA disputes. Kevin Amber's Home Court Advantage program would allow mediation within 90 days at a cost of $300. Governor Crist vetoed the law last year and the state senate adjourned before considering the matter this year.

Another point it raises is how HOAs are compelled to enforce community rules without exception to protect the integrity of the HOA and the community rules.

One thing the article doesn't mention saliently is how the HOA is not some nebulous secret entity out there somewhere designed to cause people trouble. If you own a property here in St. Charles Place, YOU are part of the HOA. The board members you elected are your fellow owners. All of the current board members live in in the community.

The community rules aren't imposed on you from some invisible, faceless force. They're the rules to which you agreed when you bought your home here. In some cases, such as the requirement to pick up after your dogs, the community rules merely repeat county ordinances. (That's right! It's illegal in Hillsborough County to leave your dog's poop on the ground.) We could not change the rule if we wanted.

If you have concerns about the HOA and how it's run, get involved. Stay in contact with the board members. Show up to HOA meetings -- the next one is next Tuesday. The board does not -- and cannot -- meet without you being invited.

No Street Parking. No Kidding.

Apparently not everyone is aware that parking on the streets here in St. Charles Place is not allowed.

Some residents have reported problems passing parked cars on streets. More than an inconvenience, it's also a safety hazard. We have to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. There is not enough room for a fire truck to pass a car parked on one of our streets.

If your cars don't fit in your driveway, you need to park in a designated space. I know for some people that's not convenient but it has to be done. You can get ticketed or towed.

When you bought your home, you got a big sheaf of documents that detailed all the DOs and DON'Ts of things like this. Buying the home meant agreeing to these rules. If you haven't read through them, you should. It's important because the community has to enforce them. If you have questions about them, contact Mary Fritzler at Leland Management. Her number is 727-451-7908. Or you can reach her by e-mail at mfritzler@lelandmanagement.com.

If you're a landlord renting out your property, make sure your renters know the rules so that they don't get nailed with a parking ticket or towing fee they didn't expect.