I live in OLP where the front yards are tiny -- 50' wide. I've been relatively quiet about this because it literally hits close to home -- as in a nabe who typically parks as many as five cars in that tiny front yard. I like my neighbor, and generally take a none-of-my-business, live and let live position on most everything, but the proliferation of cars, often parked right smack up against my driveway impeding my ingress/egress, is getting difficult. I don't plan to make a formal complaint, but I do grit my teeth a lot.

You do know there are neighborhoods in town where this is already common? You don't? Good. Please stay away.

If a neigborhood wants to accept and allow yard parking as policy and implement it in a way that is accepted by the neighborhood as a whole, that's one thing.

If certain homeowners in a neighborhood begin yard parking, and then try to have that made into public policy de facto, that's wrong.

Every neighborhood has certain standards that are obvious the first time you see it. If a person doesn't really care for those standards, then they shouldn't live there.

When I was looking for a home, I didn't look in neighborhoods that have landscaped, "manicured" lawns. I'm not sure why others can not do the same.

As for temporary parking in order to help the disabled enter their homes, I don't have a problem with that.

You are the decider of what people can do? Barbara Pelot certainly is. No surprise you support her.

As Factchecker indicated, it's called representative democracy. I suggest you study up on it. I realize it's a bummer when it doesn't always go your way, it hasn't always gone mine, but I don't think that's reason enough to personally insult others and make your little remarks. But without an ability to rationally discuss your views and the views of others, I guess you have to have something to fall back on.

All about you isn't it?

For someone who spends their time on this forum disguising personal vendettas as public policy issues, that comment almost made me lose my coffee.

"If people want to park in their front yards, they should be encouraged to move to a surrounding county where the practice is common"

Gary, this attitude is so wrong on so many levels. You do know there are neighborhoods in town where this is already common? You don't? Good. Please stay away.

(looking out the window to see if enough grass is growing in my parking speace to qualify me as a dastardly yard parker)

I'm not talking about impromptu car lots, just the occasional car parked in the grass. If all the yards got paved think about the increased runoff.

____________________________________
"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse."

I would have thought Knoxville already had laws against abandoned cars.

I live in a subdivision just outside the city, BTW. There is a county ordinance about keeping cars registered, but that's been about the only tool we've found against our offenders. Granted collecting junkers and where they are parked are two slightly different issues, but they generally go hand in hand. Also, I do think it's generally fair that a democratic government can be the decider on such issues (9).

My concern about this discussion is people may be putting property values above human values.

I wouldn't attribute the right of where to park one's car as a human value. And it's not just about property values. It's about property eyesores and being decent, responsible neighbors.

My concern about this discussion is people may be putting property values above human values.

Look at recent history and how the pursuit of property values overheated. We are just beginning to see the fallout from that obsession.

BTW I am a (multiple)homeowner.

If people want to park in their front yards, they should be encouraged to move to a surrounding county where the practice is common.

Just because the head of the household believes that everyone in the home who is over the age of 16 should have his or her own car is not good enough when it makes neighbors' homes lose their values.

People have too much junk, including cars, these days. I know people who have two car garages, but because their garages are full of junk and not cars, their cars stay parked outside.

I do not believe that I should face a lower home value because somebody thinks junior should have his own car so he can drive himself to the game on Friday, or so Suzy can run out to the mall.

I support the ordinance and especially Councilwoman Pelot who is looking out for her constituents on this issue.

Stacey, you're a homeowner? If yes, then you realize that the value of your property is, in many ways, determined by how well your neighbors care for their property. Since a person's home is typically their single largest investment, most homeowners are taking this issue very seriously indeed.

As rocketsquirrel pointed out earlier, how well your neighbor cares for their property is also a determinant of the other issues you mentioned - respect for their neighbor's right to peaceful enjoyment of their home and the degradation of neighborhood awareness leading to incresed crime.

I support the ordinance because I want to have a form of recourse should my neighbor decide to turn his front yard into a car lot.

If my neighbors are not keeping me awake or committing violent crimes I could care less if they park in their yard. If you have time to worry about yard parking you have probably not dealt with more serious issues. I think stupid bans are an effort for government to make themselves relevant.

Behold the ordinance:

(link...)

Piece of work isn't it?

it seems to me that storage of cars is different than parking of cars. the former could be considered blight and a health hazard since they often house rodents and other animals. i've seen *rear* yards of stored vehicles (and other heavy mechanical equipment) in residential neighborhoods. some are protected, of course, by C or I zoning (like the areas along and to the west of n. central).

I would have thought Knoxville already had laws against abandoned cars. Doesn't mean they are enforced, someone probably has to report the violator. Counties are usually much more lax, don't know about Knox County.

I'm just curious, if someone has a front yard to park their cars, don't most, I know not all, have a backyard? Can a person still park these cars in their backyard?

Isn't it weird, backyard is one word, front yard is two words. Thus, cars should be in the less formal backyard? Except for, NIMBY.

Oops, hadn't seen the update. Hope it helps and doesn't cause unfair heartache.

Collecting junk cars has become almost a neighborhood epidemic. There are at least two such houses in our neighb within a few blocks from us. I deeply sympathize with the neighbors in direct view who have been unsuccessful in dealing with this trash. One family directly across the street from trailer trash (sans trailer) happens to be prominent and staunchly GOP and even they can't get a break, and the other one next door recently passed away and had to endure the eyesore the rest of her days. I get pissed off every time we walk past these offending yards. Therefore I'm generally for more tools to de-trash the 'hoods.

It's all moot, as City Council has already voted. Here's Council member Pelot's comment:

"This ordinance was crafted with the assistance of the Directors of a number of City Departments, as you know, and many volunteer hours of interested citizens with various skills, representing a myriad of views and expertise. All meetings were sunshined and open to the public. It was truly an extraordinary exercise. Council passed the ordinance tonight by a vote of 8-1."

I'd be more upset about this ordinance if I thought it were going to be enforced. It basically comes down to neighborhood standards. Hopefully you can tell before moving into an area whether yard parking is considered acceptable. I liked the plan that required a vote of the neighborhood association , I suppose it would be like a neighborhood has to vote for speed bumps. Last I'd heard that provision had fallen by the wayside.

The most important thing is to get along with your neighbors. If they like you they won't be calling the city on you.

BY DARN, it's my yard and as long as the tags are current I'll park 'er where I want!
BTW Anon. it should be chidren, for effect with the L unspoken.

I disagree with this new ordinance. They claim if a poor person parks in front of his house it is out of sheer laziness, but if a person is able to enjoy the luxury of being able to afford a circular paved driveway in front of their house it is no longer considered laziness. Where is the justice in that? This ordinance is strictly directed against the poor and I feel it is unfair.

Yes, there are city ordinances for the number of cars allowed to be parked in and around a residence, I believe. Bu, I ain't looking it up right now.