Parking becoming safety issue in housing areas

Published April 18, 2011
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Some areas of the Tierra Vista housing community are looking like a parking lot.

Cars are parked in the wrong direction, on sidewalks, on the landscaping and in emergency vehicle lanes. Residents are using fire lanes to unload vehicles and some residents are double parking. All of this is a violation of the housing area parking rules, said Amanda Ceser, Tierra Vista community manager.

"It's a safety issue," Ms. Ceser said. "The last thing we want is a vehicle parked in the way and a fire truck or an ambulance loses precious seconds in a life and death situation."

Residents must park in their driveways and in areas where on-street parking is permitted. Residents are not allowed to park within 15 feet of an intersection, on top of curbs or sidewalks or where their vehicle blocks access to garages, carports or prevents emergency operations. All of the parking rules are outlined in the Peterson Air Force Base Resident Guide and Community Standards handbook which can be found on the Tierra Vista website at www.peterson.tierra-vista.com.

"Another important issue that needs to be addressed is parking on the landscaping (colored rocks)," Ms. Ceser said. "There are main water lines and drainage pipes in those areas - if those pipes break, it will be a major issue."

The 21st Security Forces Squadron will ticket motorists who are in violation of the parking rules outlined in the residents' handbook, said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Cox, Police Services noncommissioned officer in charge.

The rules are similar to off-base neighborhoods with home owners associations, Ms. Ceser said. They are meant to keep the neighborhood safe and maintain the overall curb appeal of the community.

"We work extremely hard to ensure that we build and maintain a quality community, a place where people would be proud to call home," Ms. Ceser said.

· If you receive a parking ticket and have questions or concerns, call 21st SFS Reports and Analysis office at 556-5168 or Police Services at 556-3438.
· If you have questions about the parking rules in the housing community, go to www.peterson.tierra-vista.com and download the Resident Guide booklet.

Housing