Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 17, 2024 9:17:47 GMT -5
Again, I'm sharing a bit of my personal experience and life seeking some advice. I grew up believing very strong in our freedoms, rights, and the Constitution. I would suspect many of you are the same, although, at times we may not see eye to eye where each other is coming from. So, here's the back story. I'm a guy that relies on local and state government to operate largely without interfering in my life. Lately that's taken a bad turn.
Coming home from work several weeks ago we (the neighborhood) find construction markers painted on the roads and yards with steaks and ribbons placed along sections of the curb. No one knew what was going on. So, to a local FB discussion page I go to inquire. After all FB is the end all of endless chatter. I learn that the city is taking survey/bids to put in a sidewalk down one side of the street I live on. My side of course. About a 1/4 mile project. So, I go out and study these markings. Water lines marked blue, gas lines marked yellow, and where they plan to dig to put in the sidewalk is marked with florescent pink or red. The markings indicate that they want to put the sidewalk slap-dab in the middle of my yard. To my council member I call.
Yes, I had heard correctly, and the markings are set to city codes. I inform him that I can't accept or allow that for it would eliminate my driveway and that I wanted to speak at the next council meeting... it would be 4 days later. He advised me that I should be aware that the city is expecting the homeowners to cover 50% of the construction cost. In the meantime, I e-mail everyone I can think of and begin knocking on doors. I started a petition of signatures, addresses, phone numbers, and contacted two state and federal representatives for advice.
A much longer story short, I think we will be able to stop this small overreach IMO. This issue arises when I go to address the city council.(I do have video to support and prove to any doubters) Before the meeting I noticed one council member get up and leave. The mayor who presides over the meeting stands and walks to the podium. He tells everyone to bow their heads for prayer. I'm not anti-religious, but I'm very pro-constitution. Is there not a separation of these two things?
What should I do, if anything.
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Date Joined: Feb 3, 2022 10:55:39 GMT -5
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Post by mrright on Feb 17, 2024 19:06:17 GMT -5
do you pay property tax?
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Date Joined: Nov 15, 2023 19:44:16 GMT -5
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Post by Justbec on Feb 17, 2024 19:13:14 GMT -5
Sounds like you are doing what you can. I am sorry for what is happening. I would go nuts.. Keep up the petitions with your neighborhood and call your city council.
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Date Joined: Jun 7, 2010 10:10:35 GMT -5
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Post by deyana on Feb 17, 2024 23:22:32 GMT -5
Over here the government owns 10 feet each side of the road, going into people's yards or gardens. Where I live there is a big pole about 10 feet in from road that is used by the hydro company for their electric wires. This is not unusual. But because I have an acreage, it doesn't really matter to me, as I have quite a bit of land. However I have seen in the city whereon roads have been widened and parts of (what seemed like) people's front yards taken. I can see how house owners would be annoyed with that. But it is what it is. I hope you find some kind of resolution, Justice-N-Motion, but if it's like here, then you don't actually own the 10 feet of land from the road, so they can do what they want with it.
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 18, 2024 7:09:49 GMT -5
Over here the government owns 10 feet each side of the road, going into people's yards or gardens. Where I live there is a big pole about 10 feet in from road that is used by the hydro company for their electric wires. This is not unusual. But because I have an acreage, it doesn't really matter to me, as I have quite a bit of land. However I have seen in the city whereon roads have been widened and parts of (what seemed like) people's front yards taken. I can see how house owners would be annoyed with that. But it is what it is. I hope you find some kind of resolution, Justice-N-Motion , but if it's like here, then you don't actually own the 10 feet of land from the road, so they can do what they want with it. Here we have what's called rite of passage. Meaning I cannot deny public works access to my property. Mainly the mail carrier. My entire front yard is 52 ft wide about 3X as long. My driveway is a mere 26FT. They want to put in a 5FT wide sidewalk which crosses my driveway. If they place the sidewalk near the curb to the street I could still park in my drive. I wouldn't like it, but of the options that may be my best hope. As of right now the markings indicate the sidewalk will be placed in the middle of my driveway leaving roughly 10ft to either side of the sidewalk. That leaves me having to parking over the sidewalk, which is against code, or parking on the street.
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Date Joined: Feb 3, 2022 10:55:39 GMT -5
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Post by mrright on Feb 18, 2024 11:05:38 GMT -5
did your old driveway have have a permit when it was installed?
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Date Joined: Mar 14, 2016 18:48:07 GMT -5
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Post by Springschick on Feb 18, 2024 11:51:54 GMT -5
Was this a final decision made by the city?
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 18, 2024 11:59:38 GMT -5
Was this a final decision made by the city? I'm told no, but it's moving on fast forward. I will be out later today getting more signatures. I was not aware they filmed city council meetings. I have the video, but Gawd I'm ugly and old. Forced me to shave the beard. It's gone!
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 18, 2024 12:01:50 GMT -5
did your old driveway have have a permit when it was installed? Yes!
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Date Joined: Feb 3, 2022 10:55:39 GMT -5
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Post by mrright on Feb 18, 2024 12:57:03 GMT -5
then they have to leave it
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 18, 2024 20:22:39 GMT -5
I went out today and started getting signatures on the petition. An overwhelming number of signatures against the sidewalk. About half of all the home completed and only one house refused to sign. Our message will be a strong one.
That's the good news. On a bit darker side of things, I got to meet some neighbors I hadn't known. I don't understand adult kids these days. I met Mary, a 95-year-old widow who just wanted company. She even asked if she signed if I stay and talk awhile. Of course, I did, but no signature was required. I later met Ron a 92-year-old who basically wanted the same. Both told stories of their kids and how they're so busy with life. It just made me sad.
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Date Joined: Aug 22, 2013 22:03:03 GMT -5
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Post by Howard Mack on Feb 19, 2024 15:28:24 GMT -5
It's not yours anymore.
Just live with it. It'll be gone soon.
Get a smaller car or park on the street like everyone lese does.
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 19, 2024 16:47:33 GMT -5
It's not yours anymore. Just live with it. It'll be gone soon. Get a smaller car or park on the street like everyone lese does. You could be right, but if it's all the same I'll fight for what I want.
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Date Joined: Jun 7, 2010 10:10:35 GMT -5
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Post by deyana on Feb 19, 2024 19:38:36 GMT -5
Over here the government owns 10 feet each side of the road, going into people's yards or gardens. Where I live there is a big pole about 10 feet in from road that is used by the hydro company for their electric wires. This is not unusual. But because I have an acreage, it doesn't really matter to me, as I have quite a bit of land. However I have seen in the city whereon roads have been widened and parts of (what seemed like) people's front yards taken. I can see how house owners would be annoyed with that. But it is what it is. I hope you find some kind of resolution, Justice-N-Motion , but if it's like here, then you don't actually own the 10 feet of land from the road, so they can do what they want with it. Here we have what's called rite of passage. Meaning I cannot deny public works access to my property. Mainly the mail carrier. My entire front yard is 52 ft wide about 3X as long. My driveway is a mere 26FT. They want to put in a 5FT wide sidewalk which crosses my driveway. If they place the sidewalk near the curb to the street I could still park in my drive. I wouldn't like it, but of the options that may be my best hope. As of right now the markings indicate the sidewalk will be placed in the middle of my driveway leaving roughly 10ft to either side of the sidewalk. That leaves me having to parking over the sidewalk, which is against code, or parking on the street. Not having a good parking place by your front door is annoying. That is one thing I really appreciate about having land, is that there is ample parking space for many cars. So you will be left with 10 feet to park your car? That is not much. You could perhaps squeeze your car in there, but you will always be worried about it being so close to the road. Still, I guess it's better than parkin on the actual road. I know in the city, that is what everyone does, they park on the road or in a parking lot, if they live in an apartment. But I guess when you bought your house, you must have considered the parking and liked that you had room to park your car easily. It's a shame that will be taken away from you, unless you are very lucky and something changes.
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Date Joined: Jan 17, 2024 18:56:17 GMT -5
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Post by Justice-N-Motion on Feb 19, 2024 19:55:04 GMT -5
Here we have what's called rite of passage. Meaning I cannot deny public works access to my property. Mainly the mail carrier. My entire front yard is 52 ft wide about 3X as long. My driveway is a mere 26FT. They want to put in a 5FT wide sidewalk which crosses my driveway. If they place the sidewalk near the curb to the street I could still park in my drive. I wouldn't like it, but of the options that may be my best hope. As of right now the markings indicate the sidewalk will be placed in the middle of my driveway leaving roughly 10ft to either side of the sidewalk. That leaves me having to parking over the sidewalk, which is against code, or parking on the street. Not having a good parking place by your front door is annoying. That is one thing I really appreciate about having land, is that there is ample parking space for many cars. So you will be left with 10 feet to park your car? That is not much. You could perhaps squeeze your car in there, but you will always be worried about it being so close to the road. Still, I guess it's better than parkin on the actual road. I know in the city, that is what everyone does, they park on the road or in a parking lot, if they live in an apartment. But I guess when you bought your house, you must have considered the parking and liked that you had room to park your car easily. It's a shame that will be taken away from you, unless you are very lucky and something changes. My truck is almost 19 ft long
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Date Joined: Jun 7, 2010 10:10:35 GMT -5
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Post by deyana on Feb 19, 2024 20:24:25 GMT -5
Oh okay, well good luck with it all then. 19 ft long truck, you might have trouble finding a place to park it even on the road in front of your house?
I hope that your council or city change their minds about extending this road. But usually they don't unfortunately.
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