Totally obnoxious and dangerous! We've had to "go around" this car with a kid on a toy bike who promptly fell and rolled into the street. Had there been an incoming car, could have been killed!!! 311 won't handle this, though. Must be reported to the police non emergency line # at: (713) 884-3131. Please keep up your efforts- there are quite a few people around you genuinely care about mobility.

Liar!

While I appreciate the 311/seeclickfix initiative, there are a number of folks using this tool/site to post info. seeking resolution. Many times anonymously. What happened to the good old days when the neighborly thing to do was to ask the owner kindly to help the situation. Perhaps the owner is unaware of the issue or concern at hand. Talk about a completely passive aggressive method of problem resolution.

I use this site to fix legitimate issues, mainly mangled speed signs and other actual dangerous items. There are a number of folks I've seen on this site that have gone off the deep end and post anything/everything that is not perfect. I'm not sure if they think it's a game or something just because they get civic points. There is a point when this tool can be abused to report anything and everything to big brother.

In the picture above, it's not difficult to go around the vehicle. And I think it's lame to fabricate a story. It may be true, but the situation seems highly unlikely.

I welcome your input. We moved in this home 2 1/2 years ago. Within a few weeks we were introduced to HPD after a nasty letter left on the windshield. The author boasted how he left several hundred such letters though out Montrose. I consulted the city and even paid to get rid of the space between the driveways that was previously filled with river rock.

My "Friends" used to use the East Montrose Yahoo web site to do there hate chasing but were forced off of the site over a year ago. The city 311 site is a new tool for them as anyone can see by their victorious civic points.

My car is in my driveway. The police and city parking enforcement have been to my home more than a dozen tea. NO neighbor has ever stopped to voice their opposition. The Mayor's office has provided guidance. And yet, the Fernis family can't let it go. The reason is they are used to bulling people to their demands. The truth is they want Montrose to be The Woodlands, but this is Montrose where If you dig a sidewalk, you kill a tree. Who wins! The Woodlands is waiting for their next great Home Owners Association President who can get in everyones business and maybe take a old lady's house for uncut grass. YES! These are those kind of people!

Thanks for your logic and common sense. It's a breath of fresh air!

With all due respect, there is no "if you can go around it" exception on the law regulating sidewalk obstructions. This person is obstructing the sidewalk. It is illegal. According to the planning department his driveway is 12', that model Cadillac is just over 15' long. I believe the sidewalks on that block are 4' wide. This person's sense of persecution and entitlement are off the chart. We are having similar issues over in Avondale. http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/540854-nuisance-on-property

Sec. 40-362. Impairments and obstructions unlawful.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, cause, or allow any impairment or obstruction of a sidewalk or roadway, except as authorized by a permit.

TWRII you don't sound like a nice neighbor. All you have done since getting on this service is make fun of your neighbors and the neighborhood.

Nice neighbor? I got on the site because it seemed like a wonderful tool for the city to keep up with issues in the city. After downloading, the first this I noticed is the same person targeting me. Yes, I have defended myself because I do not believe (nor does the city) that I am doing anything wrong. Make fun of these people? You bet! It's the only way to address these people and their made up stories. They don't like the fact that my car is there. There is eight feet between my car and the street. Fact! First they claimed they had to walk into the street. Then they claimed their kid fell of a trike and rolled six feet into the street. I'm sorry but should I let these people make this stuff up and call HPD for over two years without comment? A good neighbor knocks on the door and discusses issues, not leave anonymous notes and call the cops.

A good neighbor takes their lazy butt and parks in the garage, not across the sidewalk.

I do not know this exact situation, so I'm using this incident as a general venue to voice my concerns. Between seeing some of the incidents reported that are sent to my email and the related comments, I'm concerned about how some people are using this tool to to report low order items in the community and just creating noise along with community angst.

There has been a rash of parked car incidents reported in the Montrose area. An increasing number are reported 'anonymously'. That is especially obnoxious since they have been closely reported both in time and in proximity. Once can only infer that the same person or people are reporting similar type of incidents. Can we say civic point mania?

1) 311 probably has no law enforcement capability
2) It appears people are using this tool to to continue their personal feud. Many of the parked car issues are insignificant.

Come on, we all know the difference between the letter of the law and the when to use common sense. Yes, there are no provisions that say walk around. But c'mon, is it worth the time to fight with everyone trying to enforce this law? It would be nice to discuss this issue in person with the person, and not go wild with random 'anonymous' reports on your neighbors. I lived in San Francisco long enough to realize there are plenty of people that live by the 'do as I say, not as I do' philosophy. It would be very interesting to see what infractions the people that consistently complain are breaking themselves.

So G Sea, exactly how many cars parked across the sidewalk would it take to make the issue significant for you? Apparently this owner had been doing this for over 2 years. Do you not think that was enough time to get the car in the garage? If speaking to them was going to work, that would have happened a long time ago. Perhaps following the law would help "unclog" the 311 system.

Like I said, I do not know the specifics of this one particular case. No where does the original case say 2 years in the making. My comments are directed towards this recent string of 'car parking' incidents reported on 311. I've seen pictures of cars barely blocking the sidewalk, yet someone has made a complaint. Another reason I don't think it is a big deal is a vast number of sidewalks within Montrose are so messed up from cracks and tree roots, it's almost easier to run/ride a bike on the street than the sidewalk. Hence the car blocking a sidewalk is almost a moot point. I'd rather see COH/311 fixing the sidewalks than wasting time over civil matters.

If I was the owner of this car, I'd move the car just to make this problem go away regardless of who is right or wrong. After 2 years, it's not worth fighting a battle when the fix (or at least a resolution) is relatively easy.

These are sad comments. Nothing said will change this person's inconsiderate behavior. Most of the public space is already dedicated to his car. That's not enough for this guy. He also takes the tiny space for pedestrians. Sidewalks are cracked and overgrown but they are all we got.

Lysa, MontroseMom just brought to my attention that fixing the sidewalks are the responsibility of the homeowner. If the homeowner has to pay for that space, then how can it be public?

I'm just trying to understand the rules here.

Is there a reason the car won't move to make this problem go away?

Here are 2 that I find silly:
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/542446-cars-parked-on-sidewalk
http://seeclickfix.com/issues/542448-cars-parked-on-sidewalk

It doesn't take very much effort to quickly go around the vehicles. It would be interesting to hear from the owners to see if:
1) They were aware and purposely doing it.
2) They were notified by the public/community member about the issue.

Why use COH to convey this info.? Once can easily stay anonymous with a simple note slipped under the windshield wiper. It's a lot less confrontational than getting a notice from COH or some other official organization.

Those are two very good examples of cars blocking the sidewalk. It would be impossible to pass if you were on a scooter or wheelchair. A friend of mine has MS and can barely steer his scooter because only two fingers work on his hand.

G Sea -- A lot of times a single image does not do the situation justice. I am a fit guy and have no trouble shimming around *one* obstacle while pushing a jogger and taking my 75 pound dog for a walk. However, these single violations rarely occur in isolation. You "go around" a few of these and your fun walk with kid and dog turns into a frustrating experience with sore elbows and forearms from all the pushing, pulling and twisting. If you are disabled or elderly, the situation is grim. The West Gray Multiservice is a good place to talk to people about our sidewalk issues. A lot of disabled people move to our area just to be close to that center because they specialize in services for the disabled.

Montrose Dad,

I acknowledge your concern. I agree it is a legitimate issue. However, you have not acknowledged my concern. I am concerned that the owner of the vehicle/property have not been given a fair chance by their community before being 'turned in' to the government. Many people accidentally and unknowingly make mistakes. We are humans. Hypothetically, say you made an innocent mistake. Would you rather be notified directly, or have HPD or some other COH official notify you of the problem? All I'm trying to bring to light (perhaps not for this particular case as this has been a 2 year ongoing issue) is that all the other issues that have been filed, placing a note on their window may remedy the issue in a much less confrontational and antagonistic fashion. This route may actually have tangible results unlike posting on 311. And before someone asks, yes I do actually practice what I preach and leave notes on windows of vehicles when I come across something that bothers me.

The second question that is still left unanswered is has 311 and their associated parties actually done anything about these type of cases filed?

Issues relating to cars is completely different than other physical issues such as trees, sidewalk damage, potholes, and street lights. Mainly it's because people have the power to either move or keep their vehicles in place. People do funny things in retaliation when agitated; and I can say that anonymous filing of vehicle blocking sidewalks would be agitating to a number of folks.

My neighbor just showed me an article in H magazine in which 150 Houston neighborhoods were rated on a number of factors. Interestingly, if my neighbors statistics are correct. Montrose came in first in bike ability and 6th in walkabity. While nothing is perfect, this is a great neighborhood to live in. I hope we never lose sight of that.

@Pit Bull -- I am glad you brought up the Walkscore (www.walkscore.com). This is based on an algorithm that uses proximity of services, existence of bike trails, etc. Higher mixed-use areas with high density generally have a high Walkscore. However, Walkscore does not take safety or pedestrian infrastructure into consideration. Walkscore is kind of gimmicky, but a good place to start. The reason I care so much about pedestrian safety in our area is because, unlike the suburbs, we have lots of destinations within walking distance. It is totally reasonable to expect to be able to walk to Kroger or Whole Foods or a Ushi or Buffalo Bayou, etc. and not have to duck, dodge and squeeze around obstacles. It is also reasonable to expect to be able to walk two abreast, while pushing a stroller. If I can't do that, then a person in a wheelchair can't do the same and that's wrong. Anyhow, you have my contact information. I don't see any point in continuing this debate on this service. I can't control what my neighbors report, but as long as what they report is in the public space, then I wholeheartedly support their civic mindedness.

If a vehicle is blocking a sidewalk try to tell the person nicely to move the vehicle. If that does not work after 3 times, then call the police and hopefully HPD will be issuing tickets. Only thing that people understand is tickets. Do it all nice and professionally. Yes they will be ticked off, but, there is a reason for having laws on the books.

Case Reference updated from 7601-101000939088 to 0-101000939088