Dear Beth, Parking permits do NOT buy you a spot in front of your house. They buy you the convenience of being able to park, with resident preference, any where within the boundaries of the permit. The permits can be handy when you want to park in front of your own home, and also useful when you want to park near stores or services throughout your area.
The permitted blocks force nonresident turnover and almost guarantee at least a few open spaces at most controlled times. Permits make it easier for parents to drop kids off at local schools, by giving all a shot at short term spaces. Those with permits can enjoy even long term parking. In some metered areas, folks with permits do not have to fill the meters. When you see signs that say, "2 hour parking, except for permit # (# = 1 in CC and 2 in UC), you don't have to fill the meter if you have the correct permit sticker on your vehicle. Note, that in completely commercial zones, such as center city Chestnut Street, there is usually no waiver. It is less meaningful here in UC than in CC, where almost every street is metered and parking is so tight that some folks at the Rittenhouse Hotel Condominiums will pay about $400 / month for a space. We pay taxes for shared services, not exclusive rights. In fact, City regulations and our deeds specifically prohibit claiming private use of the street or sidewalk. Even where the property owner has applied for and received a zoning permit for a curb cut, the actual parking must be off street and the driveway where it crosses public sidewalk and the street kept clear. Separately, and not legislated, is the ideal... the hope that all of us will help out the physically feeble by easing their path, by helping them (for payment if they are rich and as volunteers if they are not) to clear their sidewalks and vehicles. I know it may be just my preference, but when a young, male Massage therapist feels inadequate to the cooperative nature of clearing spaces, it strikes me as vastly different than when a retired, female Teacher makes a similar complaint. Personally, if I had more time or energy, I would move in the direction of pushing more of our streets toward Permit Parking. My parking frustrations stem from the suburban people who drive into about 48th street and park free while riding Septa to Center City or the free PENN-Bus back from the PENN campus. I am also hard pressed to believe that 18 year-olds need cars at college, and permits might lead to a cost-benefit scenario that puts more of our college students on SEPTA or bikes. Best! Liz On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 19:09:30 EST [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > I find this an interesting topic, especially reading the various > opinions > about parking. > If it is rage, then consider me one of those. As a "senior citizen" > who needs > to drive (can't ride SEPTA very often because of medical reasons), > and as > one who pays to park IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, (Residential Permit > Parking--car must > be registered to that address) I would be more than furious if > someone took > my parking spot! (someone did Saturday night, a neighbor's guest, > there for a > party, and I very politely asked her to move her car , Jersey > Tags/Driver. She > did, with no hesitation, since she was leaving anyway. > I would be interested in knowing why some of you think it is O.K. to > park in > a spot someone else has dug out? You can't be that "crass". And to > think there > are "braggers" that delight in destroying someone else's > property.....shame, > shame...."what is this world coming to?" Elizabeth Campion http://ilead.realtor.com/display/?id=13380525&; 215-790-5653 ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
