Irvine Parking Problems

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skim121_IHB

New member
I live in Northwood2 and they are starting to enforce parking rule. What outrages me is that they are charging arm and a leg with HOA and $50 for transponders for each cars. we have four cars within family and two are already parked in garage, so why should I pay for ANNUAL fee for the other two cars? Do they really expect people to have 4 bedrooms in 3000sq ft house to only have two cars? When my husband and I bought this house 3 years ago, there wasn?t anything about annual fee for parking in front of my own house, this is ridiculous! I understand that some people don?t use their garage as they should as agreed upon, but what about people that do? Also, what is ludicrous is that when I walk my dog every night I don?t see packed street at my neighborhood. The HOA, Professional Community Management, Inc. (PCM) is exploiting residents. What they should do is asses it according to living sq ft or bedroom, i.e. 2 to 3 bedroom condo 2 parking with one permit, 4 to 5 bedroom, two in garage and two permits, beyond that there are charges, something to that effect or something. There are other ways to enforce parking then just making residents pay after two car garage for more then three bedroom homes. I believe that they are exploiting the residents for money and this is a piss poor solution to a non existing problem, at least for my neighborhood.
 
Go to your HOA meeting and register your complaint. You are a member in good standing (?) and you object to these predatory fees.



The PCM managment group takes direction from your board of directors/HOA. They will have to determine what PCM will do going forward.



If you don't like their response, then get a petition going with neighbor signatures to reverse it, or run for the board yourself. Your HOA is not the first crappy HOA out there.... there are ways to get that kind of obnoxious practice to stop. good luck.
 
Have you attended any HOA meetings skim where this matter was likely discussed and ultimately voted on? Been reading the minutes of the board minutes at least? Do you have any knowledge of the financial condition of your HOA. Are they well reserved? These people are your elected representatives for the most part. They serve you. If you want things to be different, drag your butt regularly to meetings, get a petition going, run for the board, etc.



It's amazing how apathetic the typical homeowner is to their HOA. I served on a board for years and usually not a single homeowner would show up for the public portion of the meeting. Heck, most HOAs can't even get enough votes to get their board elected/re-elected each year... Owners don't bother to check off a box or two and mail back their votes. You can bet they'll pay attention finally if you slap them with some stricter parking rules though.
 
skim:



Can you just put the other two cars in your driveway? (Most of the homes in NII seem to have a driveway.) Do they still want to charge the $50 / car no matter where you park or is it just for a parking permit for the street?



I hate to say this, but I often drive through that complex around noon on weekdays and one of the first things I notice is how many cars are parked along the streets. It almost looks as much as congested Woodbury. Maybe this could just be because people are coming home for the lunch hour, not sure.



Well, good luck.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1229821261]skim:



Can you just put the other two cars in your driveway? (Most of the homes in NII seem to have a driveway.) Do they still want to charge the $50 / car no matter where you park or is it just for a parking permit for the street?



I hate to say this, but I often drive through that complex around noon on weekdays and one of the first things I notice is how many cars are parked along the streets. It almost looks as much as congested Woodbury. Maybe this could just be because people are coming home for the lunch hour, not sure.



Well, good luck.</blockquote>


I'm pretty sure he can park on the driveway, but hates doing so bc he has to move cars to get other cars out of the garage. I have the same issue with my HOA. However, I am forced to park in my driveway. I would love an option to pay $50 for a decay. That being said, i like the look of my neighborhood now with few cars parked on the streets.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1229821261]skim:



Can you just put the other two cars in your driveway?

Well, good luck.</blockquote>


If the driveway is the typical small Irvine-sized driveway he might have a problem with that too. I've known people who got in trouble because their (small) cars that were parked in the driveway blocked the sidewalk which neighbors claimed created a danger for kids on their bicycle and mothers with their strollers. It's a no-win situation.
 
just more reinforcing for my idea never to live in a place with an HOA. y



our mello roos pay for the damn street, then you have to pay to park in it. and you pay your HOA to tow you. then you pay to get your car back.
 
[quote author="rtlguru" date=1229824150] That being said, i like the look of my neighborhood now with few cars parked on the streets.</blockquote>


Ain't that the truth. My old place was a Cal Pac 4 pack that only has 2 street parking spaces for every four homes (there are no driveways in the development so it's garage or street only) so my neighbor behind me parked his dually (would never fit in Irvine sized garage) in front of my house for about two years. Looking out my living and dining room room windows felt like living in the 909.



<img src="http://www.jinma-simcoe.ca/Quickstart/ImageLib/dodge_dually.jpg" alt="" />
 
Just wait until the small kids in the newer neighborhoods grow up and you have to deal with three teenage drivers per house & all of their friends and parties.
 
You have to fight these things. There are probably a small number of vocal residents in Northwood II that complain to the HOA about how..

- property values are going down because there are too many cars on the street and it detracts from the aesthetics

- some people are renting out their garages for others to live in

- some people use their garage for storage and then park all their cars on the street

- there isn't any parking available on the street

- etc..



So to grease the squeaky wheel, now the HOA has to enforce the rules in the CC&Rs;(instead of just putting reminders in the newletter that are continually ignored). PCM comes up with a brilliant solution of requiring permits and what not. Transponders is something I haven't heard of until your post. The HOA/PCM hire a company (<a href="http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/patrol-one-c29785.html">Patrol One anyone?</a>) to enforce the draconian rules. The end result is that it is a pain to live there unless you only have 2 cars and never have friends over.. It's not really the rules that are the problem. It is the way these rules are enforced.



Something like this was about to happen in our complex and there were a lot of people against it. The HOA meeting to approve the parking proposal had way more residents there than could fit in the room and when it was clear that there was significant opposition, the idea was scrapped. There was maybe one person who tried to justify the nazi parking proposal. But there were maybe 50+ people against the idea and someone had actually gone door to door to get signatures to petition against it.



You'd be surprised how many people feel the same as you. You've got to get involved and let the HOA/PCM know that the majority of the community is against it.
 
[quote author="rtlguru" date=1229824150][quote author="SoCal78" date=1229821261]skim:



Can you just put the other two cars in your driveway? (Most of the homes in NII seem to have a driveway.) Do they still want to charge the $50 / car no matter where you park or is it just for a parking permit for the street?



I hate to say this, but I often drive through that complex around noon on weekdays and one of the first things I notice is how many cars are parked along the streets. It almost looks as much as congested Woodbury. Maybe this could just be because people are coming home for the lunch hour, not sure.



Well, good luck.</blockquote>


I'm pretty sure he can park on the driveway, but hates doing so bc he has to move cars to get other cars out of the garage. I have the same issue with my HOA. However, I am forced to park in my driveway. I would love an option to pay $50 for a decay. That being said, i like the look of my neighborhood now with few cars parked on the streets.</blockquote>


People tend to have very negative reactions when these are announced, but end up liking it more when the streets are clear. These rules were probably already in the CCRs when you bought house, but not enforced. If it is a completely new rule, then it will be easy to fight if enough people really care enough.



In the case of CG, the rules are 2-6AM so it doesn't interfere with normal parties, and if someone does want to stay over then a safelist can be done with a phone call or on the website. Its easier than it sounds. But if you have kids with cars it can be a real pain.



The origin of these rules is based on city requirements for guest parking. When people fill up the streets all day long, then guests have nowhere to go. The level of enforcement comes from the HOA.



Was this rule in the original CCRs?
 
I left Irvine because of HOA, Mello Roos, Parking issues, congestion in neighborhoods, bad neighbors, no rear side and front yards, hearing neighbors toilet and other bedroom habits, deferred painting warnings, and etc.



To me all of the above took away my quality of life for over 18 years. I can't buy back what I have lost but can only move forward with fulfilled happiness in my current home. I felt my previous homes were all "temporary" and may be others feel the same way by spending weekends looking at endless model homes and open houses looking for the next home with a few extra inches.



I am no longer a model home junkie and house hunting addict. I do however felt wasteful having read the parking hardship others posted by having a 4 car garage and a 130' deep driveway for another 7 extra cars when we only have 2 cars.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1230004593]I do however felt wasteful having read the parking hardship others posted by having a 4 car garage and a 130' deep driveway for another 7 extra cars when we only have 2 cars.</blockquote>
You're just trying to make me jealous.



It's working.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1230005260][quote author="bkshopr" date=1230004593]I do however felt wasteful having read the parking hardship others posted by having a 4 car garage and a 130' deep driveway for another 7 extra cars when we only have 2 cars.</blockquote>
You're just trying to make me jealous.



It's working.</blockquote>


I was totally thinking about you and the 3 car garage.
 
Can someone clarify what is the official rule on number of cars/parking spots for a sfr with 3 or 4 bedrooms? I have a 5 bedroom place but only a three car garage. my drive way is big enough for 3 more cars so would that be considered 6 parking spots or just three? Just a curious question.
 
[quote author="etheran" date=1230009337]Can someone clarify what is the official rule on number of cars/parking spots for a sfr with 3 or 4 bedrooms? I have a 5 bedroom place but only a three car garage. my drive way is big enough for 3 more cars so would that be considered 6 parking spots or just three? Just a curious question.</blockquote>


research my old posts on parking requirements from over 18 months ago.
 
[quote author="Astute Observer" date=1230009958][quote author="bkshopr" date=1230004593]I do however felt wasteful having read the parking hardship others posted by having a 4 car garage and a 130' deep driveway for another 7 extra cars when we only have 2 cars.</blockquote>


So are you going to pick the truck up, or you are going to order a new one?







<a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/script-city-fire-2253611-engines-years">Orange Fire Dept Truck for sale</a>

<img src="http://images.ocregister.com/newsimages/community/orangevillapark/2008/12/11_c_org_firetrucks1_medium.jpg" alt="" /></blockquote>


Due to the recent fires my toy is on back order. I am thinking of buying the entire 6-pack Cal Pac detached condos so I can use the motorcourt to park my new toy. I can now buy all 6 for the price of one.
 
I would park in my driveway if there was one. its just a back way to the garages. They enforced these new laws recently on Oct and voted on it. I would be involved in my HOA if the meeting are held at reasonable time, it is held on every third weds of every month at 6pm. I go to work, like many and doesn't get home to make it in time for HOA. Why hold it on weekdays at 6??? why not on weekends? or little later time. I believe majority of the vote with the board is Irvine company, and the residents who are on the board serves as minority. At Northwood II there are four builders that built homes here, one being attached town homes, two builders for single family homes with car garages, and another builder for single family homes without a drive way but a shared back driveway that leads to individuals garages, which is where we live at.



At night time when I walk my dog, my husband and I observed amount of cars on the street and on some streets there are only two cars, our street has about regularly six. Which there are plenty of parking. I have never had people over before and said "you dont have parking." Even when some of neighbors have parties I've never had problems.



The new parking rule decal fees are

"ANNUALLY"

$100 for 1

$150 for 2

$300 for 3

$500 for 4

and additional increase of $250 per permit beyond that.

The parking rules are 12am to 6am they tow if theres no permit, as well towed if the permit is not on the car registered. its like condo buildings, rather than sigle family homes. on top of that you have to pay $50 for each car per transponders for the gate, if your lease is up or get a different car you have to go to their Santa Ana office between the ridiculous hours of Tuesday's 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and Thursday's 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m (is it me or aren't people at WORK?) and get your transponders because when you take them off it deactivates. They won't just give you the transponders because they have to make sure THEY stick it to your windshield. I just want them to give me the damn thing and not stick it, so that every time my husband and my car lease is up I don't have to go through this and keep on paying. Plus my ridiculous $130 HOA, to which I have no idea where my money is going to.



I'm taking a early day off from work just to go to this months HOA meeting to give someone an earful. My husband and I are planning to go door to door and petition against this. Now I'm seriously ticked off because I have to take my personal time after work to go fight this thing, that shouldn't even have happened in first place.



I'm open to ideas and suggestions on how to go about this issue and thanks for reading my post.
 
May I suggest making a thread with the HOA community name in its title? So people who wants to move into the community can be forewarned about the situation.
 
Here is the updated version of an old post from 1-1/2 year ago.







Bedroom must meet the life safety code, light and ventilation requirements. These are rules that the building department used to approve a set of architectural plans. Bedroom by definition does not need a closet (after market armoire would do just fine). However there must be a window for egress. The window screen area must be 7.5 sf. and no narrower than 21? and the sill of the window can not be higher than 42?. The opening requirement and sill height is for the fireman to rescue an unconscious occupant in the event of a fire. Size of a bedroom is 9x9 to meet the code definition.







The building code limit the size of the third floor to less than 500sf. Rescue effort for the third story is extremely difficult for firemen. All 3 story projects in the market place have a third floor that is limited to 500 sf by code. Rarely do you get 3 bedrooms in 500 sf up there therefore the solution is to scatter the bedrooms among the different levels to minimize the third floor reaching the allowable 500 sf limit.







Many 3 story projects with alley garages that have a raised walkway ? level above the public street to get to the front door. In this scenario the garage is bunkered into the raised earth. The building code permits the garage to be called the basement. So this 3 story structure is really a 2 story by code definition. The benefit is to be able to build over 500 sf at the third floor (Master Bedroom and 2 tiny kid?s bedrooms)







Bedroom count is supported by the number of parking spaces dedicated to each home. Guest parking is also calculated by the bedroom count to calculate the number of visitors. When the project lacks dedicated homeowner and guest parking builders can only build lofts and not bedrooms. Many homeowners and RE agent often violate the rule by misrepresentation to indicate the extra bedroom when the building and safety and parking code were not met. The city rarely goes back to the neighborhood to check for compliance.







This is the rule of thumb to check for the validity of a loft that can be converted to a bedroom. A 2 car garage with no driveway could only accommodate a 3 bedroom house and a loft. This loft can not convert to a bedroom. However, in the scenario of a 2 bedroom and a loft then the loft could be converted to the 3<sup>rd</sup> bedroom provided that the bedroom meets all the building and safety code requirement. Many builders in Irvine lie on their brochure and breaking the law by stating a 4 bedroom house with only a 2 car garage without a driveway. So far the honest builder is California Pacific Homes. On its detached condo projects they never advertise them as a 4 bedroom house. It is always 3 plus loft. A four bedroom house must have a dedicated third stall in either garage or on a private driveway.







Some neighborhood planning guideline would not allow a 3 story house. Some builders built the third story as a loft that overlooks the high volume space below. They call this the mezzanine to a 2 story house. For most cases this loft does not meet the bedroom building and safety code requirement and could not ever be converted to a bedroom.







For a 4 and + bedroom house only 3 spaces are mandatory and of the three only 2 need to be covered and the third one could be on the driveway but not adjacent to the street curb. For a detached home a full visitor parking is allowed on 4th spot on a driveway or along the curb edge in front of the home.







For detached condos, attached townhomes, duplexes and Asianinvasion hybrids the guest parking is 0.75 stall per unit.
 
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