Midwood - Parking wars as residents turn yards and gardens into illegal driveways

In parking-strapped Midwood, homeowners are illegally paving over gardens and front yards to create driveways, and slapping up their own no parking signs

In parking-strapped Midwood, homeowners are illegally paving over gardens and front yards to create driveways, and slapping up their own no parking signs.

Most neighbors look the other way, but local activist Lawrence Hilonowitz is waging a one-man crusade against the violations, filing complaints against at least seven addresses in the neighborhood that currently have makeshift driveways, and compiling a thick dossier on the issue he’s been documenting for years.

“The principle of following laws and regulations is getting completely thrown out the window,” said Hilonowitz, 60. “It’s as simple as that. What’s stopping other people now from continuing the tradition and turning this whole area into one massive lot?”

At one home across the street from his, a yard that used to be filled with roses and hedges was cemented over and used for parking, including for commercial vehicles. But a violation was thrown out when the homeowner certified it wouldn’t happen again.

“Two weeks later, he’s doing the same thing,” Hilonowitz said. A woman who answered the door at the Ave. N home declined to comment.

Other residents avoid violations because there is no car present when inspectors come by.

City zoning regulations prohibit building the driveways in some neighborhoods, but Hilonowitz complains, “no one wants to enforce it. The Buildings Department these days is like the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.”

Some residents post “no parking” signs in front of their self-created driveways, dissuading other drivers from parking on the street even though they’re legally allowed to do so. Others jam cars into awkwardly-shaped spaces, blocking parts of the sidewalk.

“They just reserve a part of the street that is not actually theirs,” Hilonowitz said. “It denies neighbors a place where they can park.”

Some residents defended the practice. “What else should these people do?” said Noberto Rosaro, 55. “I mean, think of it, you work eight hours and then come home and spend another hour trying to find a parking spot in your own neighborhood. I don’t blame them at all.”

Sam Zeesh, 21, agreed. “Some of us are just used to it and accept it,” he said. ““You do whatever you can to get a spot, though...and if that’s what it takes to get one,

then you do it. Not many will complain it.”

But Robert Gross said the illegal driveways are an eyesore. “Sure, there’s a ton of cars around here and it’s hard to find parking, but obviously it’s real ugly for the community,” he said.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS