Neighbor's Illegal Driveway
The new tenants in the house around the corner from me are using the property’s sideyard as driveway. Since there is no curbcut and the curb isn’t painted, reporting it via 311 is pointless. However, the new tenants have posted a very large “no parking” zone sign on the gate and they now have an…
The new tenants in the house around the corner from me are using the property’s sideyard as driveway. Since there is no curbcut and the curb isn’t painted, reporting it via 311 is pointless. However, the new tenants have posted a very large “no parking” zone sign on the gate and they now have an exclusive parking space in front their home. Here’s the kick, when one of my neighbors parked there, the tenants called the cops and the cops towed the car!!! My friend now has to go to traffic court with evidence that it is an illegal driveway. How messed up is that?
Corcoran said it was a driveway.
“the summons will be issued and the matter will have to be handled by pleading not-guilty and collecting the appropriate evidence from the DOB to prove your case.”
Oh yeah. That should be easy.
There are SOOOOO many illegal “driveways” in this city. All these cemented over front “gardens” with the little fence and parking for 1 car. No curb cuts, just a sign and maybe some paint.
They are clearly illegal but the DOB doesn’t do anything.
Man I don’t like when people go around ratting on other people, but this illegal driveway thing is really boiling my blood. DOB does nothing productive anymore, do they? They should be all over this.You should you post the address and photo of this place. See how long the illegal driveway activity lasts under the heat of a little bad publicity.
you can call 311 and complain that illegal parking lot at that address.
P.S. – Painting the curb for any reason is not legal in New York City.
I suspect Chosen is right that the property owner called the police to issue the summons and then they had the car towed.
Approach the owner and advise them of your planned course of action. Tell them about the potential for DOB issues and fines and maybe it will all go away. I suspect however that they may just slam the door in your face. Then go full guns after them through the CB and the DOB.
I would not recommend removing any signage from a fence or gate attached to any private property but if you do witness either a Traffic Enforcement Agent or Police Officer issuing a summons for blocking a driveway that you think may be illegal, do not argue with them. Politely explain that you think that the driveway is illegal and why you think it to be so. If there is a visible curb cut – even cement that has been chiseled away at the curb, the summons will be issued and the matter will have to be handled by pleading not-guilty and collecting the appropriate evidence from the DOB to prove your case. It is also as a previous poster, perhaps your Community Board might be of assistance to you in getting the legality of the driveway resolved. The legality of a curb cut is not a case for the NYPD to decide.
Chances are that the owner of the property called the precinct to have the summons issued. Officers do not otherwise issue tickets for vehicles blocking driveways. Once the summons is issued the proerty owner can call a private tow company and in some cases the Police will call a city tow truck to remove the vehicle. If it is later found out to be an illegal driveway and your car was towed and you were inconvenienced, file suit against the property owner in small claims court.
I recently got a ticket for parking in front of a similar “driveway”. This one had no curb cut, no sign and hand painted but almost completely faded paint on the sidewalk. I appealed by mail with a letter and photos and the fine was dismissed.