The Pekin Daily Times Opinion Page, in the space usually occupied by letters to the editor, included a section today entitled “Voices from the Web.” The topic: the proposed front yard parking ban. The reaction: based on the selection of “Voices” printed, overwhelmingly against. Eight out of nine “Voices” printed were opposed to the ban. Looking online at the original story that spawned the commentary, there were 13 total comments. I would characterize three as in favor of the ban and ten opposed. My opinion that such a ban would be a good thing for Pekin seems to be in the minority.
(Begin Venting)
PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD??? THAT is what you folks are getting your panties in a bunch about??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
(SIGH) (Deep Breath)
One of the “Voices” had this insightful and cogent question:
When did Hitler join the council?
- Steve
Seriously, Steve? Hitler comparisons? Ohhh my …
Most of the comments were slightly more reasonable, and most were in the vein of “it’s my property and I’ll do what I damn well please with it” … ye olde property rights argument. That does carry some weight, but here’s the thing … what my neighbor does on THEIR property affects the value of MY property. I’m thinking that front yard parking is negatively correlated with property values. I don’t have any data to support that claim, but I’m pretty sure I’m safe in that assumption.
Sorry folks … deal with it. Your front yard is not a parking lot. It screams “HICKVILLE” to anyone visiting the area and drives down property values. If you want to park on your lawn, move out into some unincorporated area in the county. Then you can park wherever you damn well please. If you want to live in civilization, then park on the street or on your driveway. It’s really not that much to ask.
I hope the Council didn’t cave to this pressure. I’ll be interested to hear the summary of tonight’s meeting. I’ll try to catch it on Public Access.
6 responses so far ↓
1
Kate
// Sep 25, 2007 at 8:56 am
This is ridiculous. And guess what? When I went to walk the kids to the bus this morning, someone across the street was parked on their lawn. WTF is wrong with people? Ugh!
2
Brian A. Graham
// Sep 25, 2007 at 10:00 am
Ironic, considering that the headline on the front page was “Spruce Up Pekin moves to Park.” Of course, we also have Jan Donahue’s volunteer committee to save and beautify James Field so there is a disconnect.
There are a couple of points I’d like to make. Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. My guess is the overwhelming majority of people are in favor of this and have no problems with compliance.
Where is this problem occurring? I assume it is west of 14th Street. Are we talking Southside? Is this related to the concerns of the Southside Business Association and other activists who have felt their concerns have been ignored for the past 20 years? Does this have to do with the disagreement between Councilman Jones and Blanchand over the importance of a Southside TIF district? Is it because only Council members Kortkamp and Blanchard live in that area? I’m hoping perhaps someone can help me get answers to these questions.
3
Chef Kevin
// Sep 25, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I agree and disagree. I think parking on your yard shows no respect for your yard or your property. Those who frequently do so make me wonder how they maintain the rest of their property.
However, I don’t necessarily agree it will bring down property values as much as your next door neighbor painting their house bright pink with an array of different sized polka-dots in a kaliedescope of colors.
4
mortonmalaise
// Sep 25, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Kevin,
Nor will it bring property values down as much as an empty tank of anhydrous ammonia and empty boxes of cold medicine in the yard. That doesn’t mean it’s OK.
A little discretion in enforcement should quiet most of the squeaky wheels. For example, if one is washing one’s car in the yard (such as I was when confronted by an officer in Morton), the enforcing agency should really look the other way.
5
Former Resident
// Sep 25, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I don’t live in Pekin any more, but my parents do. And, unless some other laws have been repealed, there are some real problems people will face as a result of this law.
As I recall, overnight onstreet parking on residential streets is illegal in Pekin. Or at least it used to be. When I lived in Pekin, every time I forgot to pull my car into the driveway, I got a ticket. And every time we had a house guest, someone got a ticket because there was only enough room in the driveway for our two cars.
Now, my parents house has a driveway. But if my brothers and I all come visit at the same time it is not large enough to fit all of our vehicles. If we leave our cars in the street we can be (and have been) ticketed.
The solution? Park one or two of the cars on the lawn. I’m sorry if you think otherwise, but me parking my car on my parent’s lawn for the weekend when I’m visiting does not in any way shape or form affect your property values.
Now, this is obviously different than someone parking there every night or leaving a car there unmoving as a lawn ornament, but you are advocating treating guest vehicle overflow the same way as the old rust heap up on blocks.
Also, I believe the law in question includes a provision making it illegal to expand the driveway and alleviate the problem that way.
6
Knight in Dragonland
// Sep 25, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Former Resident,
Your tickets were the result of a law that required vehicles parking overnight on the street to have a parking light. That law has since been repealed, so your argument no longer holds true.
The proposed ordinance has limitations on the amount of property you can use as a driveway, and I think that’s perfectly reasonable. It prevents some ingrate from responding to this ordinance by paving over their whole front yard.
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