Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Parking issues?

[R Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

I concur with Meadow Wood.  Our tight urban site allowed for just one 
off-street parking space per unit (the minimum for zoning compliance).  We 
guarantee each household can park one vehicle in an off-street space.  But 
given changing vehicle ownership, needs and preferences of residents, spaces 
are not assigned to households, they are available first-come-first-serve. With 
variable use patterns, and some better-than-average (for Cambridge) street 
parking opportunities, everyone is a happy camper, and it’s unusual to see 
every off-street space occupied.  We do have some issues with service 
deliveries and accessible parking that might benefit from some more thinking, 
but parking reforms are not currently a top priority.

Thanks,
Philip Dowds
Cornerstone Village Cohousing
Cambridge, MA

> On Apr 15, 2016, at 2:43 AM, Kay Wilson <kwilsonfisk [at] comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 
>>>> We have limited parking with virtually no  guest spaces.
> We are struggling to find a plan that will allow guests/temporary
> workers  to use the spaces that are not being used by members
> because they only have one car, are at work, etc....
> 
> We handled this in three ways.
> 
> 1) We have 25 units and 53 parking spaces, so we recognized
> before we moved in that if each unit got 2 spaces, that would
> leave only 3 visitor parking spaces. Therefore, we stated in our
> Declaration:
> 
>     Section 9.1       Number and Use of Parking Spaces. There
> are fifty-three (53) parking spaces in the Condominium, including
> two (2) handicap parking spaces and several visitor spaces. Each
> Unit has the right to the use of two (2) parking spaces if
> needed.
> 
>     Section 9.2       Assignment of Parking Spaces. The Board
> will allocate parking spaces as deemed appropriate, taking into
> consideration any changing circumstances or special needs for
> handicap parking pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the
> Association. In assigning the use of parking spaces, the Board
> shall endeavor to provide adequate, convenient parking to each
> Owner. Allocation of less than two spaces per Unit will not
> remove the right of the Unit to the use of two (2) spaces.
> 
> This has worked extremely well. We have a parking designations
> map, and every time parking needs change, our legal team updates
> the map, circulates it for comment, and makes any appropriate
> changes before it becomes final. Any unassigned spaces are
> labeled "Open" on the map, and can be used by anyone. The map is
> posted on a common house bulletin board ,showing first names only
> to protect people's privacy.
> 
> 2) We also have a provision in our bylaws that allows third cars
> to rent visitor spaces for $50/month. Not surprisingly, no one
> has ever chosen this option - it was designed to allow
> accommodate but at the same time discourage such use. Third cars
> that don't rent a space must compete for unassigned spaces.
> Somehow it all works out.
> 
> 3) In addition, we have a wide grassy flat area alongside the
> private street that connects us to the county road. The soil
> there is compacted clay and gravel, and unless we have had a lot
> of rain, it will hold about 8-10 cars for angle overflow parking.
> 
> Kay Wilson
> Meadow Wood Cohousing
> www.mwcondo.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
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