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Ordinance would target cars parked on lawns
Loudoun County leaders are considering a proposal to ban the practice of residents parking their cars and trucks on their front lawns, an issue that has sparked complaints in Loudoun's oldest suburban community: Sterling Park."This is a quality-of-life issue," said Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), who has heard numerous complaints about the issue. "If it's supposed to be a residential home, then you shouldn't have a parking lot on your front lawn."
Chairman Scott York (I-at large) proposed the idea for the ordinance. Supervisors were supposed to discuss the matter June 3, but because of time constraints were forced to move the item to their June 17 business meeting.
According to the proposal, county staff was asked to look at similar ordinances in Fairfax and Prince William counties for guidance.
In Fairfax County, residents are not allowed to park their cars on the lawns of single-family detached homes with lots covering less than 36,000 square feet, or about 0.83 acre. Residents also are not permitted to pave over more than 30 percent of their front yards to circumvent the ordinance.
Though not immediately available for comment late Tuesday, York told The Washington Post for a June 1 article that vehicles parked on front yards distract from the "ambiance" of Sterling Park.
York has been a vocal proponent of creating a homeowners association in Sterling Park, which currently does not have one in most parts. Such an authority, he has said previously, could address quality-of-life issues like this.
Also on June 3, supervisors discussed another proposal by York. This one would give low-interest loans to some county employees so they can buy foreclosed homes in Loudoun.
York originally wanted the program limited to properties in Sterling. However, fearful that residents would think their communities were being excluded, the board voted 5-4 to expand the proposed program to the entire county.
"I know I would hear, 'Why didn't we spread the wealth?'" said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles).
No further action was taken on the item, but the board will discuss it again later this month.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
1) Since when did Sterling OR Sterling Park have any "ambiance?"
2) I agree that you should not be allowed to park on your front lawn permanently if you live in a residential area, but every now and again (especially if a resident is having a lot of company and doesn't want their guests to take up all of the on-street parking) should be fine. Now, someone who is parking on their lawn so much that their grass has died and left a "car print" (for lack of better words) should definitely be scolded.
3) As the owner of a vehicle that has been damaged (hit-and-run) various times in my own residential area... it seems that parking in the yard rather than on the street may be the safer solution because people are not as honest in our area as you would expect them to be.
Posted by SweetHoneyAKAJ
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