Creating Additional Parking

Started by MaureenM1 • 11 replies • 1677 views

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MaureenM1 (PA)
Posts: 344

Posted:

Can additional parking be made in a townhome development and change the original plan?. Would we need to consult with the township engineer? Can homeowners who have end units make their driveways wider? of course, all approved by the membership.

Our development does not have sufficient parking and the board is trying to come up with a solution.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Maureen

Let us start with a question. Are the existing parking spots deeded to the unit or owned/assigned by the association?

I would say the association should agree on how (guidelines, plans, restrictions, etc.) an end unit may expand their driveway and then let apply to do so if they wish.

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

Does your HOA or your township own your streets?

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

MaureenM1 (PA)
Posts: 344

Posted:

We are just finding out from our Board Attorney who has been reviewing our documents for parking (since we are having many parking issues in our development), that the Declarant (at the time) did not deed the driveways to the units.

MaureenM1 (PA)
Posts: 344

Posted:

our HOA own the streets. The roads are private.

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

My situation:

We own our streets. If we plan to make any changes that could affect our stormwater management system, we involve the township in the discussion and we follow any directions they give us. For anything else, we notify the township zoning office as a courtesy, but we are free to do whatever we want.

We are a townhouse community. The individual lots are the width of the house and extend so many feet front and back. How many feet front and back isn't the same for every house. As a result, driveways could be on an owner's lot or on common property. We don't pay attention to any of this - and we aren't going to spend the money it would take to do a survey.

Our policy is as follows:

The streets and curbs are the financial responsibility of the association. Driveways and walks are the financial responsibility of the homeowners. A few end units have widened their driveways at their own expense after getting HOA approval. The association shovels and applies chemicals to driveways and walks, but everything else is on the homeowners.

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

When we looked into expanding parking in our Townhome development, we considered cutting into the traffic islands to create head in parking (vs. parallel parking around the island which was occuring). What we discovered was that the cost didn't outweigh the benefit of only a few extra spaces.

This was based on a proposal from an asphalt company.

MaureenM1 (PA)
Posts: 344

Posted:

Would widening the driveway be an option if board approves? Our PM and one of our board members said we wouldn't be able to do it. How could I find out for sure?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaureenM1 on 01/31/2016 8:03 AM
Would widening the driveway be an option if board approves? Our PM and one of our board members said we wouldn't be able to do it. How could I find out for sure?

Maureen,

You would need to look at the PLAT to determine actual property lines and easements - hence defining common areas. You will also need to read your governing documents and applicable codes and city ordinances.

If the driveway is widened into common areas, that should not be allowed as common areas are for the enjoyment of everyone.

If the driveway is widened into an easement, there may be applicable laws that prohibit that.

If the governing documents have any statement like ours do (. . . provided however that at all times the open space shall remain as such . . .) which prevents removing any open space.

Some County codes and city ordinances have setback requirements that may or may not impact how close a driveway may be to the property line.

NpS (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 4,216

Posted:

First step: Ask your question to the local zoning office. Also ask if anyone from your association has asked a similar question. Ask if a permit would be needed.

Sikubali jukumu. Read all posts at your own risk.

NinaR (Florida)
Posts: 26

Posted:

Maureen, Tim is 100% correct.
Remember, the reason that people buy into CC&R communities is because they like the uniformity and that everything is tidy and clean. To protect your property values you may want to consider tighter parking rules instead of reconstruction. Also, as Tim pointed out, to widen may mean dipping into common area which is not allowed.
Our parking is tough too. I wrote about it in another thread.
In our community only one in six homes has access to a visitor space. It's bad. Our PM has another community where it's tighter than ours, so you aren't alone. I came on HOA Talk to hopefully get some parking ideas for my neighborhood! lol
The best remedy is one that will be cost effective, fair for all residents, and easy to administer. When you find the answer, we ALL want to know!

NinaR (Florida)
Posts: 26

Posted:

Just curious; who was the builder of your community?

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