Disabled Parking Issues?

Started by FrancescaM • 32 replies • 2471 views

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FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

Our building had two parking spots for the disabled.
Currently two cars are being parked there. One is my spouse's one is mine. Both have the proper parking identificaions.

One of our the other residents recently got a new pass is upst these are taken. I feel for her,but we have every iright to these. first come, first serve, my spouse has had his for 3 years and I have had mine for 6 months....
Her arguement is .. you BOTH have one, you should leave one spot opened for someone else.

Ok.. nothing in our convenetns or ccrs about this. I know, when I got my pass I researched it.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Francesca,

What do you think is the RIGHT thing to do?

FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

My spouse and I both need this.. so I don't know. The person asking has a private space.. 2 spaces to the right of the disabled parking. her comment? She doesnt't want to park there because the woman with the mini van is giving her car dings.

Really I don't think it's a reasonable request... My space that is owned by me is abotu 12 spaces over. I could offer to switch out ever other day or somthing. but since we both have mobility issues.. it's not fair that I get to park far away.. btw.. the owner will not let me use her spot either.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Francesca,

Well, I thought that we might be able to find a happy medium. That could have been, her offering you her spot , 2 spaces away and with your willing to take your chances with the banging of the minivan. But no dice? Maybe "Rock, Paper, Scissor?"

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

Are disabled parking spots 'assigned' or simply open to whomever arrives first?

FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

they are for those who arrive first. This person.. is really not understanding that and without her being willing to cooperate.. in other words her way or the high way.. the answer is no.

SteveP5 (Florida)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Francesca.
The spot does not belong to you just because you got your permit before she did.

you should see this problem in the light of a Floridian. We have the highest concentration of disabled drivers mostly because people feel they are entitled to the permits when they reach a certain age and the result is that real disabled people in say..... wheelchairs can't find a parking spot anywhere.

Anyway, the disabled parking is for disabled guests in my opinion.

SteveP5 (Florida)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By FrancescaM on 05/06/2009 8:54 AM
My spouse and I both need this.. so I don't know. The person asking has a private space.. 2 spaces to the right of the disabled parking. her comment? She doesnt't want to park there because the woman with the mini van is giving her car dings.

Really I don't think it's a reasonable request... My space that is owned by me is abotu 12 spaces over. I could offer to switch out ever other day or somthing. but since we both have mobility issues.. it's not fair that I get to park far away.. btw.. the owner will not let me use her spot either.

12 Spaces over?
How do you get from your car to your appurtenant and how far is your car from your apartment?

KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665

Posted:

Until such time as I read that she wants a different spot because of the dings in the door, my thought was that a third space being made available is the right thing to do. But using disability to get a space protected from door dings is just plain wrong.

If I were on the Board I would attempt to catch her saying that she wanted to bigger space because of the door dings. Without it recorded (or many witnesses) then making another space seems the reasonable thing to do. If she needs the space for mobility then an able bodied person can be shifted. Stuff happens. I would rather have my spot moved then to live with the idea that I was too selfish to allow a (truly) disabled person to park close to their door.

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KirkW1 on 05/06/2009 6:56 PM
Until such time as I read that she wants a different spot because of the dings in the door, my thought was that a third space being made available is the right thing to do. But using disability to get a space protected from door dings is just plain wrong.

If I were on the Board I would attempt to catch her saying that she wanted to bigger space because of the door dings. Without it recorded (or many witnesses) then making another space seems the reasonable thing to do. If she needs the space for mobility then an able bodied person can be shifted. Stuff happens. I would rather have my spot moved then to live with the idea that I was too selfish to allow a (truly) disabled person to park close to their door.

I don't think it matters what her secondary reasons are for wanting a spot (dings) so long as she has a valid permit. The way spaces work here is first come first serve. If the spot is not parked in, then she can park in it whethere Francesca was there 'first'. Think about anywhere there is a handicap spot. Just because you get your permit first doesn't mean that spot is now designated yours...unless that is how they are assigned by the HOA. A third spot does seem to be needed though if there are three residents with permits.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

DJ,

That brings up an interesting point. Just because you have a "Handicap Sticker," does that mean if there is a non handicapped spot right in front of the door, that you would not use it? It should be first come, first serve as these spots are assigned only as handicapped.It's that way everywhere else in this Country. So the neighbor has a spot almost in front of her door but doesn't care for it BUT it is assigned to her unit, being that it is not "handicapped" I think that the neighbor and Francesca need a decision from the Board, after the Board finds out the law on these designated spots.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Fransesca,

Are you saying that:

1) the two designated handicapped spots are adjacent to each other?

2) you have an assigned parking spot 12 spaces over/away from the two designated handicapped spots?

3) a 3rd person with a handicap permit has an assigned parking spot 2 spaces away from the designated handicapped spaces?

4) if you (or your husband) are not able to park in a designated handicapped spot, you must then park in your assigned spot, which is 12 spaces further away (from the closest handicapped spot)?

5) if the 3rd party is not able to park in a designated handicapped spot, she must then part 2 spaces further away (from the handicapped spot)?

6) currently, for whatever reasons, you and your husband both manage to get to the handicapped spots before the 3rd party does?

7) she wants you to voluntarily not park in one of the open handicapped spots, even if you get there before she comes and goes, if another member of your family (who also has a valid handicap permit) is already in one of the designated handicap parking spots?

Question, if you head out to go shopping one day, and you come back to find she is parked in the handicapped space that you vacated to go shopping, what do you do?

FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SteveP5 on 05/06/2009 6:40 PM

12 Spaces over?
How do you get from your car to your appurtenant and how far is your car from your apartment?

Very slowely.. what kind of questions is this? and the disabled parking is by the elevator....

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

It's a "fact finding" question.

If we're trying to visualize your situation, the more information provided the better.

While a space may be 12 spaces away from the handicapped spot, for all we know that spot might also be right in front of your door.

It would be cool if you could just map it out on a napkin while we order a second coffee, but, alas, the limitations of the internet and all . .

FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MicheleD on 05/07/2009 7:04 AM
Fransesca,

Are you saying that:

1) the two designated handicapped spots are adjacent to each other?

2) you have an assigned parking spot 12 spaces over/away from the two designated handicapped spots?

3) a 3rd person with a handicap permit has an assigned parking spot 2 spaces away from the designated handicapped spaces?

4) if you (or your husband) are not able to park in a designated handicapped spot, you must then park in your assigned spot, which is 12 spaces further away (from the closest handicapped spot)?

5) if the 3rd party is not able to park in a designated handicapped spot, she must then part 2 spaces further away (from the handicapped spot)?

6) currently, for whatever reasons, you and your husband both manage to get to the handicapped spots before the 3rd party does?

7) she wants you to voluntarily not park in one of the open handicapped spots, even if you get there before she comes and goes, if another member of your family (who also has a valid handicap permit) is already in one of the designated handicap parking spots?

Question, if you head out to go shopping one day, and you come back to find she is parked in the handicapped space that you vacated to go shopping, what do you do?

Actually.. I don't have an issue if this lady parks there. The parking garage is locked, these spaces are not for guests. They are unassigned for residents / owners. My spouse and I work during the day. If Mrs. Prissy pants comes in and parks there that is fine by us. It is first come first serve. It was that she approached my spouse and I and asked us if would just park one car in the spot, leaving her a spot as she is unable to park in her own spot due a parking issue with her neighbors van. The spot she is referring to is right next to the disabled parking.

I called Mrs. Prissy Pants and told her that since my spouse and I work and manage to be the first ones in at the end of the day... that if she would put it in writing I would be more than happy to park my little small convertable in her spot and allow her free access to the wider disabled spots. She was hesitant, but said well if I have guest where do there park? I told her on the street like everyone else does. Our building is on a residential street with loads of parking.. I also tols her I amgoing to get this is writing from her to protect myself and her.It's the only
solution to this matter.

I amjust shocked that Mrs. Prissy Pants won't deal with the bad parking etiquitte of her neighbor, and had the adaucity to ask me NOT to park in the disables spaces.... it is first come first serve. My attempt to come to a resolution was met with hestiancy, but Mrs. Prissy admitted that for now, it's a good compromise.. Yes, I will get a contract from her saying that I may park in her space.... for my own protection. WIth my luck, I will walk out and the car is towed by her as shoe "forgot" she and I had an agreement.. lol

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

I gotta say, one of the 'advantages' of parking in a handicap spot is fewer dings in our car as they are usually wider! On the other hand, cars parked in a handicap spot are sometimes targeted for vandalism etc. Our car had a run-in with a shopping cart because some dummy left the cart near a store entrance where it then rolled to the closest parking spot (handicap) and caused 1000.00 damage!

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

By the way, you might want to recommend a non-confrontational solution to the door ding issue:

Only $19.99 plus shipping.

Or this:

(a little more expensive at $79.99, but still, magnetic, so removeable.)

Doordefender

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Opps.

The $19.99 suction cup door guard solution link didn't print.

here's the link:

Suction cup door guard

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Gosh,
Thanks Michelle,

I showed them to Mr. Husband and he probably is ordering one of them right now for his "BABY". There are always solutions for problems, it's just finding them that takes some work.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

My husband bought these rubber stips that you put on your door -- cost about $5. Our garage is rather narrow and it helps prevent dings in both of our vehicles.
As with so many little problems in life, where there's a will there's a way!

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Fancesca,

Just wondering why you call this gal "Miss Prissy Pants" and have you ever wondered how she might be referring to you?

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

Boy is that first opaque plastic one UGLYYYYYYYY. But I guess it is better than getting permanent dings. Of course in cars with manufacturer installed body moulding I've noticed the dings occur ABOVE or BELOW the moulding...or just that the moulding prevented the direct on hits!

Prius didn't come with moulding...probably because it reduces fuel efficiency due to air turbulence.

FrancescaM (Washington)
Posts: 264

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaryA1 on 05/07/2009 10:32 AM
Fancesca,

Just wondering why you call this gal "Miss Prissy Pants" and have you ever wondered how she might be referring to you?

Yes.. she is referring to me as Mrs. Big Sassy Pants.. lol ( just for a laugh.. )
Thanks for the idea of the bumper gaurds..

AnneH2 (Florida)
Posts: 82

Posted:

If parking spots are assigned, then it would seem that the non-assigned handicapped spaces are for visitors, in which case, both should use the assigned spaces.

SteveP5 (Florida)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaryA1 on 05/07/2009 10:32 AM
Fancesca,

Just wondering why you call this gal "Miss Prissy Pants" and have you ever wondered how she might be referring to you?

also see " Audacity" lol

Sorry Fran just kidding around, but for the love of the gods....this sounds like a petty squabble.

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By FrancescaM on 05/07/2009 7:25 AM

I called Mrs. Prissy Pants and told her that since my spouse and I work and manage to be the first ones in at the end of the day... that if she would put it in writing I would be more than happy to park my little small convertable in her spot and allow her free access to the wider disabled spots. She was hesitant, but said well if I have guest where do there park? I told her on the street like everyone else does. Our building is on a residential street with loads of parking.. I also tols her I am going to get this is writing from her to protect myself and her.It's the only solution to this matter.

At first blush this sounds like a fairly reasonable solution. But what happens when a fourth person in your building gets a tag and starts parking in the handicapped spot before Mrs P gets there and she comes home to find no handicapped spots available and your car parked in her assigned space? Since you insisted on a signed agreement, she would end up with no parking spot unless the agreement allows her to use your assigned spot. If I where her, I would also insist on a clause that stipulates that in the event of a fourth person the agreement would become null and the handicapped spots would revert to the as-available basis again.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Dwight,

Or, how about a handicapped guest? No wonder Ms P.P. doesn't want to sign an agreement with Ms S.P. Instead of a "petty squabble" (Steve's take on it) this could turn into a real turf war!

SteveP5 (Florida)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Na you can't have a turf war over turf that does not belong to you.
The parking falls in the common area and is not designated to any one unit owner, so it's there for everybody and their guests to use. (providing they have a permit)
Going out of your way to Bogart the space = petty.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Steve,

Say what??? Do gangbangers own their "turf"? I think not! LOL

DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664

Posted:

Actually Steve, it's the 'turf' that doesn't clearly belong to one person that causes "turf wars."

SteveP5 (Florida)
Posts: 50

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DwightT on 05/08/2009 8:10 AM
Actually Steve, it's the 'turf' that doesn't clearly belong to one person that causes "turf wars."

true dat yo! lol

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Well, except in this case, the assigned parking spaces apparently "belong" to the units they are assigned to.

The parking spaces designated for handicap parking are not used by the general public or, apparently, "guests," from what Mrs. Prissy Pants says, because the parking garage is apparently locked and they (the spots) are not for guests.

Wait a minute.

I forget. Which one is Mrs. Prissy Pants and which one is Big Sassy Pants?

Oh my.

This is exactly why I tell my grandsons to use people's proper names when referring to them. That way you rarely run into confusion.

Fortunately, as they are older adolescents now and maturing somewhat, they tend to heed that advice more times than not.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Michele,

Oops, guess I didn't understand the spaces are in the parking garage. I thought it was said the handicapped spaces were for guests.

Ms Prissy Pants (Ms PP)is Francesca's neighbor and Francesca is Mrs Sassy Pants (Mrs SP). I always say call me anything but late for dinner!

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