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Homeowners target Belmont Ave. employers over parking spaces

Posted at 7:33 PM, Nov 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-11-25 20:14:05-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--A handful of Richmond neighbors are fed up with people parking in front of their homes, and have taken matters into their own hands.

Some employers in the area near Belmont and Floyd Avenue, west of Boulevard Avenue, are upset that their workers have been targeted with what they call “harassing letters."

Workers each said they found a letter on their car with a map highlighted in yellow. The note, from area homeowners, requested the drivers not to park in front of their homes everyday. The letter asked the driver to rotate where he or she parks.

belmontletterThe letter also mentioned that eight homes in the area have 10 cars and too often they have no space to park in when they return home from work.

Those who received the letter expressed irritation.

Joshua Coleman who lives nearby said it has happened to him in the past.

“I think it’s a sense of entitlement in a neighborhood with old wealth that insists on these types of things," he said. " I think it’s better to be communal--everyone deserves a parking space.”

CBS 6 contacted the Department of Public Works.  A spokesperson confirmed there are no parking restriction in this section west of the Boulevard, which means no driver is breaking the law when they park in front of the homes.

John Webb lived near Floyd and Belmont for a few years. He says he constantly had to deal with people parking in front of his home.

“It was a little frustrating, but I mostly got over it," he said. "I’m kind of a non-confrontational person."

I mean, I know people need to work and get money and if they need a place to park, they just need to park there,” he added.

He also believes not parking in front of someone’s home is a  matter of courtesy and neighborly respect.

“I think if they’re fed up with it and they want to take it into their own hands they should get a petition, and talk to authorities," Webb said. "Otherwise the problem is never going to change.”

Public Works spokesperson Sharon North tells CBS 6 those homeowners can work with their neighborhood association and their city council person to address the problem and see if parking restrictions are warranted.

That process normally involves the city conducting a detailed traffic and parking study.