Are you frustrated with people parking on your street that that don’t live there? One Magnolia street appears to have put it’s collective foot down. An MV reader sent this email:
I live on a street right near the village in Magnolia and drive 6 blocks to the bus stop and park there to take the bus to work. It seems my neighbors are forbidding me to park on their public street. Well when I bought my house I knew that it was right by the Village and people would park in front of my house. Seems like they don’t have the same thought process. Check out this letter that was put on my windshield today:
Though street parking is available for anyone, I can see this as an issue with potential park-and-ride folk. However, they clearly do not own the street on their block and are not allowed to enforce any parking rules.
Magnolia is a friendly neighborhood that welcomes anyone, this shouldn’t be an issue to vent over.
I received that same letter when I once parked there to take the #24 bus after missing the # 33 bus in front of my house. There could be a lot worse things happening in front of their homes than a car quietly parking for a day. The street is very wide and each home has a driveway and garage. I think they need to relax and count their blessings!
I disagree, it happens daily and that is why they are annoyed and I would be too.
You do realize that this isn’t illegal since it is a public street?
I get annoyed when other people play at Ella Bailey Park when I’m there with my kids. Sometimes my kids have to wait to use the slide. That’s annoying. Can I get the other folks removed?
Or you could just walk the mere six bocks to the bus stop and leave your car at home.
I used to live on 34th Avenue West, near the community center, fields and tennis courts. People were always parking in front of our house. I get it – it’s a public street. Deal with it.
oh that IS funny, and so very Magnolia…
i would neatly fold the letter up, drop it gently on the ground (near the closest home) and cheerfully go about my business.
everyone knows you don’t own the street in front of your house, right?
I find it especially interesting that the neighbors are reccommending parking further up on Thorndyke- in front of other peoples homes. NIMBYS
My ‘favorite’ part of that note is how they invite you to park in front of someone else’s house. Talk about selfish.
I live near where these neighbors suggest others should start parking. Parking near Thorndyke and Hayes, and further north, is already “full” of bus commuters each week day. Apparently, these neighbors understand the streets are public but feel that the commuter parking has become a problem. Rather than ask commuters to park where they will simply interfere with other neighbors, the group at 2900 Hayes should undertake the following effort to create a restricted parking zone: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/parkingrpz_howto.htm
There are plenty of people who park-n-ride next to the park on Thorndyke. I wouldn’t mind so much but I’ve found those people actually somewhat rude to pedestrians. I’ve seen them pull out of the space next to the logs and almost run me over a few times as it looks like they had a few drinks downtown and they don’t seem to care that people use that area to WALK.
This is SO Magnolia. Unsigned, too. Look, all you have to do is leave him a note under the wiper asking him to mix it up a bit where he parks. Get a life already.
When I was your age, I use to have to walk 3 miles in my
bare feet, just to get to…….. Walk the 6
blocks!
Using a car to travel a mere six blocks when there are closer bus routes, and complaining about a member of the public using a public street in a legal way. Geeze, is this Bellevue?
I think I’m going to go up there and park for the day, then walk home, just to peeve them.
Yes, that is something one should consider when purchasing a house–how close to business districts or bus stops–there are advantages and disadvantages that should be accepted. Or else apply for a parking zone designation as someo e else suggested.
Really? You drive six blocks? Walk, ride your bike, or get a scooter. It’s better for the environment and better for you.
I think these neighbors are in the right. It’s one thing to live near the village and have to deal with shoppers, etc. parking hear your house. But their street is not a Park and Ride. The letter could have been written less passively snarky, though.
You’re assuming the person can walk.
What jerks. What clowns. What buffoons. We all live on public streets. If you want to live in a gated community with the right to control your local streets, go move somewhere else. If you don’t, then don’t be an ass to your fellow citizens.
I have had people park in front of my house a million times. It has never even occurred to me that these people were doing anything that could be deemed the least bit inconsiderate; and it has never even occurred to me that I “own” the parking spots on my block as against anyone else.
They should move to The Highlands or a community with covenants on the eastside if they can’t deal with someone parking on “their” street. I like the parking flashmob idea. I used to live on Bigelow on QA and it is a popular place for walkers to pull up, unload and walk the loop. The price you pay for living in the city.
Hey, has anyone ever organized a parking “flash mob”? Obnoxious neighbors might require an obnoxious response….
Figured I’d check. Yup, nothing aggressive about your idea of a “flash mob.” Don’t be a hypocrite, your only intention was to be aggresive. A few weeks ago the “New Yorker” (I know, I know, not your thing) had a cartoon. A scientist walks into the room and says: “The results are conclusive. Rats that comment online are dumber than rats that don’t.” I am feeleing dumber each time I do this. Thanks for curing me.
Oh, they’re taking it up a notch. I’ve gotten hand-written notes left on my car when I’ve parked there before.
Streets are public parking. Yes, I know this can be annoying; lots of other people park in front of my home, too, but I don’t own the street. If they want to restrict its use, they should petition the city to make it a permit parking zone.
Better yet, let’s petition to get it designated as a park-and-ride. Magnolia really needs one; the bus service on the routes is so unreliable these days it really makes more sense for a lot of people to go to 28th and Blaine and get the first possible bus rather than wait for the one on their closest route, which may or may not come on schedule.
Get over it – you only have to worry about commuters. People who don’t live on my street park in front of my house *every single day of the week* (including Saturdays and Sundays). Sure, I don’t like it and my wife likes it less, but that is the price we pay for great local access to the Village! We can walk everywhere and obviously, so can you. We live 1 block from the Village, right near El Ranchon. People park in front of our house (7 days a week!) for many reasons: 1) to go to Catherine Blaine events 2) to watch the parade 3) to *work* at Village restaurants 4) to walk to Farmer’s Market 5) to vote at Catherine Blaine 6) to go out to dinner at Village restaurants 7) to park their local business vans (like the cleaners) overnight 8) to attend Village events 9) to work at Village businesses 10) and more!
Let’s kick that Seattle passive-aggressiveness into overdrive!
I am a former Magnolian living in Ballard, strongly considering parking and riding from that block for a week.
I have now resolved to park there every time I need to go catch the bus at 28th and Blaine.
Me too. Absolutely.
I will be unpopular but I agree with this. I find this frustration to be happening very near the school on 34th. It’s nearly impossible to see to turn left onto 34th due to all the commuter’s cars. And they disappear after 5pm and aren’t there on the weekends. I really hope no one gets hit.
You can work with the city to create a parking zone, just like we do around Link stations.
Indeed, and then they can also deal with not being able to have guests or household workers/contractors park on their street as well.
Geez Louise, they should be happy the city didn’t shut down parking on their entire street for a week, as recently happened on 30th for that film crew’s trailers.
Can’t one just get a guest permit they can use throughout the year on a temporary basis?
Then you decide to have a party and everyone has to park 6 blocks away…
The Power of Microsoft. Don’t mess wit it.
ok, i’m just going to comment on the buses & bus stops.
Firstly, 28th & blaine & 33rd & government are the only 2 stops where the 24 & 33 both stop (downtown bound), 28th & blaine is the only (southbound) stop where the 24, 31, & 33 stop together.
This person is obviously misinformed about bus service, just wait until metro finally changes the routes, cause they said they would eventually.
These neighbors should just deal with it, it happens in quite a few neighborhoods i am willing to bet.
I do a similar thing, not on this street but one nearby. Difference is I do it perhaps 2 or 3 times a month, aggravating the residents much less. But I can understand neighbors being exercised about this. It is not illegal but neither is it neighborly.
Then I assume this person (or group of residents) do not complain about the traffic on 15th in the morning…the idea is getting people out of their cars and using public transportation, not discourage it! Come on…this letter is absurd, there is plenty of residential parking in this area for residents and commuters.
WOW! wake up Magnolia: public street means public streets!
check the city laws……
There are many reasons to use a car for a portion of, rather than none of, or all of, a journey. Yes, we should all be acting in consideration of others in our community – but this commuter is not being disrespectful. Neither are those listed below at 34th or at Thorndyke. Public roads are public, and public amenities result in cars parked nearby. It would be nice for that frustrated homeowner to recognize that one car removed from the road (and parked legally) is good for everyone.
I love the comments about a flash parking mob on this street. Parking like this happens all over Seattle. Maybe the residents will realize how silly they are being and will find something more important to worry about.
This letter is a prime example of why I am regretting my recent move to Magnolia. These people need to learn that they live in a city. Get over it!
Perhaps these people on the 2900 W. Hayes block should get jobs and not be home to witness all of those daily parking shenanigans. I laugh when I picture those kitchen table meetings those whiners must be having. Pure comedy!
Actually, it’s a quite polite letter, suggesting parking on a more commodious street. Perhaps your car is contributing to congestion there.
Anyway, why do you drive six blocks instead of walking? Doing the latter would have health benefits, not incur the worst kind of wear and tear you can subject your car to, and contribute to neighborhood tranquility. It would be one way of thinking and acting locally.
You wrote that letter, didn’t you.
Dear parking person – if you are disabled, driving 6 blocks is fine. If you’re not disabled, why the heck are you driving 6 blocks?
Residents on that street – get over yourselves already.
I’m sure there are many people who physically unable to hike six blocks straight uphill to 29th and Hayes. There are many more who might have extenuating circumstances as to why they need their car either before or after work. (Picking up a child from daycare, perhaps?) Even if the person is just lazy, who cares? One of the annoying things about living on a busy street, on a bus line, or near popular public places is that people will park in front of your house. Why? Because it’s a public street.
We live on 34th, near the school, community center, and ballfields. It never occurred to me to leaflet the many cars who park in front of our house. Maybe I should start? And while I’m at it, I’ll see what I can do about all the people who walk on our sidewalk. They annoy our dogs.
At least I know where to send the magazine sellers. I hear the folks in the 2900 block of Hayes LOVE them some magazines…
LOL!
Love this!
This is the most ridiculous note I have ever seen before. The street is public. If you don’t like people parking there, then petition for zone parking. I used to live right off the 33 on Thorndyke I get it, parking sometimes could seriously be a pain in the rear end, but thats city living. Deal with it. I hope the recipient of this note puts this up on passiveagressivenotes.com.
Want a park and ride? Move to the east side. welcome to the city. enjoy the walk.
This topic has touched a real nerve. Nothing on the Mag Voice ever produced so much animation before this.
First world problems….
I have sciatica and back problems. Sometimes walking to my car is a problem. Sometimes I have a heavy bag to take with me. Sometimes I have a sleeping child. I’m who the heck can’t always walk six blocks to the bus, especially uphill.
I have sciatica and back problems. Sometimes walking to my car is a problem. Sometimes I have a heavy bag to take with me. Sometimes I have a sleeping child. I’m who the heck can’t always walk six blocks to the bus, especially uphill.
Live is hard, isn’t it?
Yes, as is grammar, apparently.
This person’s taxes pay for all the streets in the city. If they were driving in from Shoreline or Everett then I could understand the sentiment. Just because you buy a house that doesn’t mean you get to choose whom parks in front of you. Move to Enumclaw if you don’t want anyone parking near you.
Driving 6 blocks to the bus stop, lollololllll
I am going to hand out flyers to all the no residents walking on my block:
We, the residents of this block, have observed you repeatedly breathing. While this block is obviously a public street, it was not intended to provide for the oxygen needs of non residents. The atmosphere is a thin and busy one. Using it as a place for carbon dioxide exhalation impedes the respiration of the trees and people who actually reside on this block. Fortunately, there are suitable breathing alternatives at Discovery Park. That provides the oxygen that pedestrians need. We therefore request that you please breathe elsewhere while you walk through Magnolia. Your consideration in this matter will be very much appreciated. Thank you.
why would you drive 6 blocks, I expect you have an ailment.
I’m not involved, but I know a good friend who parks daily on the 29th block of Blaine St. She’s not disabled, but she is at the mercy of the Blaine school schedule (which starts at 9:30, drop-off allowed at 9am but no earlier). My friend races to the bus stop, via her car, after school drop-off. By driving to the stop she gets to her job faster than if she walked (which would put her on a later bus).
And yes, I’m telling my friend to start parking a block over on Hayes now.
I get annoyed by people who use the street in front of my house as a park and ride as well. I didn’t move to a quiet neighborhood with single family homes to put up with this. Of course, the only notes I’ve left is when people illegally crowd my driveway entrance. And even that isn’t as bad as the commercial vehicles and RV’s with people living in them around the corner.
I park in this neighborhood several times a week to catch the bus at 28th and Blaine and will continue to do so. I’m sorry if you don’t like it, but it is completely legal. You are welcome to park in front of my house anytime you want. In fact, you probably did when you visited Discovery Park on Sunday.
I’d sort of like more people to park on my block during the day. When there are no cars around, it makes me a little nervous that the block appears more attractive to potential burglars!
The value of your house dictates what annoyances will come with it. Houses near 28th & Blaine area of Magnolia are more affordable because of the potential inconveniences that come with living there, such as commuter parking. I paid a premium for my location to be in a core residential neighborhood because I didn’t want to deal with bus routes, arterial noise, or commuter parking. Isn’t that the first 3 rules of real estate – location, location, location? For my choice in a premium location, I instead deal with living in a fixer upper. It’s a trade-off. I understand where the home owner is coming from, since I would be annoyed with cars parked in front of my home. However, there is no one to blame other than one’s self. You made the decision to live there – be it lower rent, or a more affordable home price. The trade off is the inconvenience of commuters parking in front of your home.
I honestly wish you very well with this philosophy. From past experience I can tell you that the most expensive neighborhoods often come with an unexpected surprise…neighbors who think that it is their right to have drunken parties, etc at all hours…demand you cut down trees to protect their view, etc. I drove past the road everyone is writing about without having seen it. My God, they can hardly navigate a car there without the parkers, never mind everyone crammed in there. Of course it is your right to park there. That is where you look at the particulars and judge the case. Everyone, even you, will find that there is a surprise they hadn’t expected about living in the city (as one person pointed out) in a little area that feels like a quiet suburb. I think everyone had fun demonizing the people on that street. Whatever may make your “wonderful location location location” seem bulletproof…remember that it may not stay the way you think.
I bet this was a public street when they bought their homes. That much hasn’t changed. And to your comment that they can hardly navigate a car there- I absolutely disagree. That street is one if the widest and least busy street in the city. Parking is abundant.
Ok…I may have looked down the wrong street then. The one I looked down was one where an SUV couldn’t pass if people were parked on both sides. I will look again. I like to know my facts before I judge. Also, to the person who recommended a flash mob…how about criticism without the overtone of violence?
Flash parking mobs are violent? Who knew?
Actually mobs by definition are violent in that they are coercive and frighten the opponent. Is that the goal…to make a point by frightening your opponent? If you were a retiree on a street where people did something like that you might become more insular…you might be afraid to have an opinion. That is what mobs want, probably what you want… until it is against something you have an opinion about. The opposite of talking things through. It is probably the difference in our ages, but I have years and years of seeing what real flash mobs were capable of, and I don’t mean parking.
I’ll remember to be terrified the next time there are too many cars parked on my street.
Plainly, you have never heard the term “flash mob” before.
Hi again. I guess you are right. Its just alot of people going somewhere right? Not intimidating right? I’ve seen them in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo and it was just dancing. The feeling I got was that the writer was angry, so I brought my own history with witnessing mobs into it. Good to learn something new.
can’t blame a fool for asking, i suppose.
I am going to park on Hayes every day as this is ridiculous. First off, are they really spending their time patrolling the neighborhood and taking down license plates? Maybe a better use of time would be volunteering for the food bank or something as you obviously have too much time on your hands. Secondly, PUBLIC STREET. Thirdly and maybe the most important, PUBLIC STREET, not against the law to park a car there. Heck, I bet you park there for hours at a time also.
This is interesting. I live in the 2900 block of West Hayes and I have never seen this note or do I agree with it.
Good heavens. How petty we can be.
Person commutes 6 blocks?? LAZY! & we wonder why the rest of the world thinks we’re fat Americans…
As someone else said, perchance they have to race somewhere to pick up kids after work. Maybe they have health issues. How about not judging someone who is doing something perfectly legal?
We just received a similar anonymous, cowardly letter on our car in Wedgwood, on a block around the corner from our place, where we park a few times a week. Here is our response, which we printed up and placed on all the cars in the surrounding neighborhood (which, within an hour, were all taken off, probably by the person who left us the note): http://cl.ly/0B1E3C3L423W1b2l3z20. We then parked our car back in the spot with the a message displayed on our sun visor, along with the original letter: http://cl.ly/121L1303312r1S0v1P2W. Anonymous, entitled, not-quite-rich-enough-to-live-in-a-gated-community yuppies at their worst. It’s the city, we all pay taxes for the street—you can’t dictate who parks where. Ugh . . .
Here are those images mentioned in my prior comment.