Subdivisions Voicing Concern on Parking of Vehicles in Subdivisions

St. Louis County should be taking a look at the growing problem of vehicles being parked in subdivisions, particularly commercial vehicles. Vehicles in question include commercial vans, buses, limousines, ambulances, tractor trailers and more. Other vehicles in question include recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers, boats, campers, motorcycles, tractors and other miscellaneous vehicles. While most are parked on pavement, there’s a growing number being parked on the grass or in the backyard.

This topic is rapidly becoming a hot issue as subdivision trustees endeavor to maintain a good appearance in their subdivisions. One commented these vehicles are “visual pollution.” No one likes to look out their window every day to see a commercial vehicle parked across the street. Another cited an example of a 25 foot recreational vehicle that’s parked in a driveway in his subdivision. He said the RV has not been moved in over a year.

The real question is if these vehicles are “parked” or “stored.” There’s a difference. If it’s “parked,” it’s being used on a regular basis. If it just sits there, it’s “stored.” He said if someone can afford a large RV, they should be able to afford to store it some place other than their driveway.

Some companies allow employees to drive their company van home from work and report to their next job direct from their home the next day. This also releases the company from providing overnight parking and security at their company location. It also is a form of advertising if their name and company information is painted on the van or truck.

One subdivision has a restriction on allowing trucks to be parked in their subdivision – either in the street or in the driveway. Trucks must be parked in a garage. One homeowner parks his family car in the driveway, while his son’s pickup truck is in the garage. (Note: We do not have the name of this subdivision available, but will endeavor to obtain it and report it in a future article.)

County regulations require vehicles to be parked on pavement, but reports from various subdivisions say the County is not enforcing the regulation. One cited a situation where a resident had a trailer parked on pavement on the side of his house, but had to drive over the lawn to get there. The department responsible for enforcement is headed by Garry Earls of St. Louis County. Earls is ignoring a problem that won’t go away and will get a lot worse before it gets better. Regulations are regulations and must be enforced.

We visited an adjoining subdivision to see if we could find some of these problems. We took the following series of photos, some of which are in direct violation of County regulations, while others may be acceptable. What do you think?


This residence has a gravel driveway next to a paved driveway. Vehicles are usually parked on the gravel driveway to allow the family vehicle access to the garage.



NOTE: Click on photos to enlarge.




This homeowner stores his boat in the driveway. The boat is actually larger than their vehicle. Is this "parked" or "stored?"




This boat & trailer is parked on pavement next to thehouse. The homeowner provided pavement access from the driveway to the parking area.





Here's a clear cut case of storing their camper at curbside but in their driveway. Since it's stored at the end of the driveway, they can access both side of their garage.





The family RV parked within a few feet of the curb. Is this "visual polution?" Is it "parked" or "stored?"





This is an unmarked truck and trailer and could be either a commercial vehicle or for personal use.






Here's a resident that has the guts to store his camper in the street. Admittedly, this is a dead-end street, but are there any legal implications here?

What happens if everybody stored their campers and boats in the street?



This boat and trailer is stored on the ground next to their driveway - clearly in violation of county ordinances.

REMINDER: Click on photos to enlarge.


The subdivision where these photos were taken does not have a formal association or elected trustees. They do not have any common ground or lighting expenses. They have brickwork at their entrance which periodically needs repair. When needed, the subdivision seeks donations from residents.

What are your thoughts? Any Comments? Are these vehicles and trailers legally parked or not? What does your subdivision allow? Click on COMMENTS below to share your thoughts with other subdivision trustees.

Manchester Subdivision Residents at Odds Over Trustees: Who's on first?

After years of a subdivision civil war, this is what it had come to at Countrylane Woods II in Manchester: one group backing the trustees, complete with yard signs.

Another group, though, claimed to be the real leaders — though they don't have keys to the clubhouse, or the checkbook. They filed a lawsuit and enlisted the help of a public relations firm. And they called their opponents "rogue trustees."

The trustees and their backers say a small number of dissidents have hijacked the 497-home community. And no legal authority has ordered them to relinquish power, they note.

To help sort things out, a St. Louis County Circuit Court judge ordered that the subdivision take a vote on two sets of bylaws, the ones currently in place and another set the group opposed to the trustees crafted.

One side won that vote, though the battle is probably not over. It's a complicated story that has pitted neighbor against neighbor. But these types of clashes are not uncommon.

The state law on subdivision governing pacts, called indentures, is incredibly vague, said Jerry Wamser, a lawyer whose firm represents roughly 60 homeowners associations. The result is that developers draft the rules by which a community lives. Conflict often ensues.

"It's the Wild West in Missouri," Wamser said. "Many of these indentures tend to be constructed like Frankenstein's monster."

Still, the battle in Countrylane Woods seems to have gone beyond the typical subdivision clash. And it has even divided households.

Read a lot more at: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/0E26AFDFFFC6CBCC862575D0007AA743?OpenDocument

Subdivision Moving to Update their Restrictions

Golden Gables Subdivision in South County is moving ahead to update their Protective Covenants. The subdivision was built in 1963-64. Their restrictions have never been updated. The trustees say it's time to bring them up-to-date and to address issues today that were not around in the '60, 70s and 80s.

The trustees said the major issues are parking of vehicles on grass, commercial and RV parking and general maintenance issues. While the subdivision has always had late payers, they have never lost any money by someone not paying. "We have maintained a 100% payment record as far back as I can remember," commented one of their trustees.

The trustees are spending time reviewing Restrictions from other subdivisions and would like to hear from others as to how they solved problems in their subdivision. Here's a few of the more "unusual" restrictions they've come across.

• One subdivision requires all homeowners to have a common style mailbox.
• One regulates the colors of the homes and requires paint chips to be submitted.
• One details painting of the home to include the basic colors and trim.
• One requires trustee approval even if the homeowner is painting the house the same color.
• One prohibits trucks being parked either on the street or in a driveway.

What are some issues of importance to your subdivision? Are you considering updating your restrictions? Would you be interested in networking with other subdivisions on this subject? Click on COMMENTS below and share your thoughts and experience.

Subdivision Bans Commercial Vehicles

The following was submitted as a COMMENT to one of our articles. We thought it important enough to present it as an article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have a ban on commercial vehicles in the subdivision unless garaged or parked on a permanent concrete pad. This was meant to mean a pad on the side of the house, or back. However, the driveway seems to be OK with the County. It should have been 'unless garaged' ONLY.

Also, you should have a definition of a commercial vehicle. The County says it's a truck with signs advertising a business, and we have been unable to get rid of a few trucks without signs that have side mounted tool boxes, winches, and snow plows attached.

Also, be sure to allow for fines and liens for violations of the Indentures, with the procedures spelled out, or you won't have any way of enforcing anything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What do you allow in your subdivision? How about boats, buses, trailers? Where do they park?

Woman Must Remove 'Messages From God'

A woman who has covered her roof and property with painted slogans she calls messages from God has been ordered to remove them or face possible fines or jail time.

The San Mateo City Council unanimously ruled last week that Estrella Benavides' writings violate city codes regulating the size of signs. The writings allege vast government conspiracies, among other warnings.

Benavides, 47, who also broadcasts the messages from a loudspeaker on her car's roof, has said the messages come to her from God through a statue at her church and from the Bible.
She claims the city's ruling violates her free speech rights.

"They're telling me based on the San Mateo sign code that I'm violating the law," Benavides said. "I'm telling them based on the U.S. Constitution that their sign code violates the law."

The council ruling orders Benavides to remove the slogans or face fines of $50 a day starting late next month. If she refuses to remove them or pay the fines, the city will sue her or file criminal charges, City Attorney Shawn Mason said.

Community Sues To Oust 3-Year-Old

LARGO, Fla. -- A Florida homeowners group wants 3-year-old Kimberly Broffman to take her Big Wheel and hit the road.

They've banded together to oust the toddler from their Tampa-area community, which bans residents under 18.

The child's grandparents, Judie and Jimmy Stottler, admit Kimberly's been living there in violation of homeowners' association rules for three years. They said her mother has a drug problem, and isn't capable of caring for the child.

The grandparents said they live on a fixed income and can't afford to move until they sell their house. So far, there have been no takers to buy their house, even after they lowered the $189,000 asking price by $10,000 six months ago.

They also said they can't afford to hire an attorney.

Judie Stottler supports the family with her $18,000-per year dishwashing job because Jimmy Stottler is disabled and is unable to work.

Judie Stottler's friends told the St. Petersburg Times that they are worried.

"It is so ridiculous that this has gone so far," said Keith Tinsley, a cook who works with her. "She's trying her best to sell her house. It's like they are trying to force her to put Kimberly in foster care.

"These people keep batting her down and batting her down. They're just mean."
Judie Stottler said she is scared that she wil lose her house before she is able to sell it.
"We don't have any family to take us in," Judie Stottler said.

The Lakes homeowners association filed suit to oust Kimberly last month.

Question - What's Missing In Your Covenants?

We are in the process of updating our Protective Covenants for our subdivision. We have obtained copies of restrictions from other subdivisions and incorporating a number of ideas from others. Our question is, "What would you like to have in your Protective Covenants that is missing?" This could be more than one item.


Click on the "COMMENTS" below and give us some feedback. Thanks from Golden Gables Subdivision, South County, 63129.