Action Line: Parking in Liberty Village

  • Published
  • By Col. John Quintas
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  COMPLAINT:

I have several concerns about parking issues in Liberty Village that couldn't be resolved through Housing or Security Forcess. I've contacted Housing and SFS about this problem and am being told there is nothing to be done about it. Because of limited parking in Liberty Village, SFS will only issue tickets for vehicles that impede traffic and/or parked in areas marked with the double yellow lines.

I have a neighbor with three vehicles; we both have garages and a decent-sized driveways to accommodate single cars. My neighbor has an oversized vehicle that he parks in his driveway. He parks his second vehicle in front of another neighbor's house and his third vehicle in front of my home. I know that there is limited parking in Liberty village but shouldn't residents be entitled to the space in front of their own homes? He himself does not park in front of his own home so when I have visitors, they have to park further down the street where I feel like I'm imposing on my other neighbors. Also, why are we having to accommodate his three vehicles when there are only two drivers in their household?

While housing residents are deployed, shouldn't they leave their vehicles in the permanent parking lot so remaining family members can use their own garages and driveways instead of imposing on their neighbors? Vehicles are being left on the street for weeks at a time that are leaking oil in front of homes. Then there is the issue of spouses running home businesses and throwing sticker/candle parties where their guests are taking up parking that residents normally use. I know it is up to the neighbors to confer with one another but what are neighbors to do with those neighbors who believe themselves to be entitled to unmarked parking spaces?

Parking in front of homes should be a last resort and certainly imposing on your neighbor's space should be a compromise and not an entitlement for residents with more vehicles than their own garages and driveways can accommodate.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for your Action Line about parking in Liberty Village. I'm glad I've got the opportunity to address this issue, which is really not as much about parking as it is about how to be a good neighbor and show consideration of others.

As you are probably aware, I know how life is in Liberty Village because I've been a resident for over a year now. There is no question; parking is at a premium, especially when you have guests over to visit. All of us that live there must make sure we are using our garage for parking one of our vehicles, and not for additional storage. Then we must use the additional spot in front of our garage to help keep the parking spots on the street free for visitors. This is all part of being a respectable member of our community.

Now let's talk about what's legal versus what's right. Legally, anyone can park on the street where there are no double yellow lines. Yes, your neighbor can park in front of your house, even if the space in front of his house is open. Sorry, I can't give a ticket for that. His actions, however, are not very neighborly. I ask you to please politely address the issue with your neighbor and try to reason with him. If it were my neighbor, I'd go knock on his door with his favorite beverage in my hand and try work something out we could both live with.

One of things we've done because of your action line is to distribute letters to all residents with three or more vehicles, including motorcycles. The letter emphasizes the limited availability of parking and reminds residents that only two parking spaces are allocated per dwelling, and additional vehicles must be parked elsewhere. I'm also going to look at our policy on vehicles of deployed members, because I think you've got a good point. If it's not being driven at all, I think long-term parking may be the best place for it.

Liberty Village is a wonderful place to live. My kids really enjoy the playgrounds, the homes look very first-rate and I relish the small town feel and proximity to all the wonderful things we have on base. But the most important ingredient to our community's happiness is neighborly cooperation. Thanks for the opportunity to talk about this issue. Good luck with your neighbor, I'm confident that you'll be able to bring that to a satisfactory conclusion.

*******************************************

The Action Line is your direct link to the commander for complaints, suggestions or comments. It's not intended to replace the chain of command. When normal command agency channels haven't been able to resolve your concerns, call 226-2324, e-mail Action.Line@lakenheath.af.mil , send through distribution (48 FW/PA), mail (48FW/PA, Unit 5210 Box 215 APO AE 09461-0215) or hand carry your Action Line to the public affairs office (Building 1063).

You may remain anonymous; however, to receive a reply, please leave your name, unit, duty or home phone number and full APO mailing address. Names are confidential.