Mother May I

**Momma Cass** · 05-14-2012, 01:15 PM

Get a parking space in Queen Village. Yesterday, mothers visiting couldn’t get parking spots in Queen Village. I informed them that it would be hard to find spaces due to nice weather, mother's day, etc but didn’t realize another obstacle would be a restaurant using street spots for the valet parking. I was parking the cars of our mothers ( I guess I was a valet too) when I noticed that valets from a place on front street were parking their customers cars in street parking. Come on! ! ! ! Not Fair...... I wonder if the customers know that they could have parked their own car for free...

**gren** · 05-14-2012, 02:52 PM

Why isn't that fair? It's public parking from 2-4 hours for non-permit holders. Or, are you saying they blocking off the spaces and pretending they were for their valet service only?

**thegreattwizz** · 05-14-2012, 04:27 PM

Well, lets be clear, on Sunday, it is free public parking, PERIOD. There's no time limits on Sunday.

That said, the valet at VB (I would assume this was the offender, as they are the only restaurant in QV on Front who valets; catahoula does not) should not be charging $12 then parking customer's cars in the free street parking. That is most certainly not fair, and if I saw it, I absolutely would have said something.

Now, all that aside, I had no problem parking myself at 10:30, nor did the in-laws when they came around 12:30. I saw a pretty steady rotation of spaces throughout the day, but if the valet was using them, that's out of bounds.

**gren** · 05-14-2012, 05:11 PM

Is it in Queen Village? Here some streets are exempt on Sunday but far from all are.

But these are public streets and they seem to have every right to do that? No less fair than I can park for free.

**loveisnoise** · 05-14-2012, 11:20 PM

I fought it for years when it was fredericks. By law they are to have a contracted parking lot and use it rather than parking spaces.

**gren** · 05-15-2012, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

I fought it for years when it was fredericks. By law they are to have a contracted parking lot and use it rather than parking spaces.

What is the law? Is it a parking regulation that doesn't allow you to use public spaces if you're a parking service or is it a business regulation that makes valet services provide all of the service privately rather than charging for a public good?

**loveisnoise** · 05-15-2012, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by gren

What is the law? Is it a parking regulation that doesn't allow you to use public spaces if you're a parking service or is it a business regulation that makes valet services provide all of the service privately rather than charging for a public good?

Valet services are to prove that they are putting cars in a parking lot so it doesn't affect surrounding parking. Wait until you see a big event at VB. fredericks used to park all their cars in the public lots on front street so deep that we couldn't get our car out when I lived there.

**SouthStMan** · 05-15-2012, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Valet services are to prove that they are putting cars in a parking lot so it doesn't affect surrounding parking. Wait until you see a big event at VB. fredericks used to park all their cars in the public lots on front street so deep that we couldn't get our car out when I lived there.

Exactly. We've been exploring the idea of a valet service for District businesses - and it would involve parking cars in the lots near Delaware Ave vs illegal use of street spots....

**thegreattwizz** · 05-15-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by gren

Is it in Queen Village? Here some streets are exempt on Sunday but far from all are.

But these are public streets and they seem to have every right to do that? No less fair than I can park for free.

Yes, in QV on Front, all of the 2 hour/residential permit parking is exempt on Sunday. Generally, however, good luck getting a spot. The 'fairness' is on many levels. For one, they're charging for a free service. That's like me charging for trash pickup then putting it out with my household trash.

VB has good food, and the service has been great. Being such a close walk and great place, I expect to be there a lot. That will most certainly change the second I see their valet parking in the free public spaces.

If their valet was free, it'd be a VERY different story, but it's not.

Heh, LIN, let me see a big event where they park them 'deep'. It's not like I don't have a few friends and cell #s of the two truck drivers with the PPA. I wonder what kind of reviews VB would get if people who valet their car start getting them towed.....

**Politburo** · 05-15-2012, 11:17 AM

I'm confused.. what does it matter to you if they're charging for a 'free' service? If you don't want your car "valeted" then don't pay. Seems simple. (ETA: Putting aside the issue of whether it's illegal. If it's illegal then it's illegal and 'fairness' still doesn't matter.)

And really, they are not charging for a free service. They are providing the service of finding a space and getting your car when you're done eating. Just because it's not put into a lot doesn't mean that no service is provided by the valet.

**gren** · 05-15-2012, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Valet services are to prove that they are putting cars in a parking lot so it doesn't affect surrounding parking. Wait until you see a big event at VB. fredericks used to park all their cars in the public lots on front street so deep that we couldn't get our car out when I lived there.

Thanks, LIN

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Yes, in QV on Front, all of the 2 hour/residential permit parking is exempt on Sunday. Generally, however, good luck getting a spot. The 'fairness' is on many levels. For one, they're charging for a free service. That's like me charging for trash pickup then putting it out with my household trash.

VB has good food, and the service has been great. Being such a close walk and great place, I expect to be there a lot. That will most certainly change the second I see their valet parking in the free public spaces.

If their valet was free, it'd be a VERY different story, but it's not.

Heh, LIN, let me see a big event where they park them 'deep'. It's not like I don't have a few friends and cell #s of the two truck drivers with the PPA. I wonder what kind of reviews VB would get if people who valet their car start getting them towed.....

Seems from what others are saying that it's not legal. Personally, I don't think it's particularly unfair. If businesses take advantage of the parking regulations in an area and making money by parking cars for people who don't want to park them themselves that seems like a valuable service. But if it's illegal then they shouldn't be doing it, just because I don't have a gut problem with restaurants doing it doesn't mean the law allows it. Maybe QVNA should rent out their extra lot under 95 to restaurants for valet service.

**Momma Cass** · 05-15-2012, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

Well, lets be clear, on Sunday, it is free public parking, PERIOD. There's no time limits on Sunday.

That said, the valet at VB (I would assume this was the offender, as they are the only restaurant in QV on Front who valets; catahoula does not) should not be charging $12 then parking customer's cars in the free street parking. That is most certainly not fair, and if I saw it, I absolutely would have said something.

Now, all that aside, I had no problem parking myself at 10:30, nor did the in-laws when they came around 12:30. I saw a pretty steady rotation of spaces throughout the day, but if the valet was using them, that's out of bounds.

There were 3 problems, charging people 12 bucks to park on the street, holding up traffic and saving spots for additional cars that were arriving. Oh and the
4th Mom had to walk....

**thegreattwizz** · 05-15-2012, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Politburo

I'm confused.. what does it matter to you if they're charging for a 'free' service? If you don't want your car "valeted" then don't pay. Seems simple. (ETA: Putting aside the issue of whether it's illegal. If it's illegal then it's illegal and 'fairness' still doesn't matter.)

And really, they are not charging for a free service. They are providing the service of finding a space and getting your car when you're done eating. Just because it's not put into a lot doesn't mean that no service is provided by the valet.

Originally Posted by gren

Seems from what others are saying that it's not legal. Personally, I don't think it's particularly unfair. If businesses take advantage of the parking regulations in an area and making money by parking cars for people who don't want to park them themselves that seems like a valuable service. But if it's illegal then they shouldn't be doing it, just because I don't have a gut problem with restaurants doing it doesn't mean the law allows it. Maybe QVNA should rent out their extra lot under 95 to restaurants for valet service.

So we're clear about this: if this took place in your neighborhood (already a relative lack of parking, exasperated by a business holding and using residential spaces for which they're charging), you wouldn't have a problem? If you had to walk an extra 4-5 blocks home because a business was valeting cars out front of your house, you wouldn't have a problem? I'm sorry that I don't believe that.

I don't even have a dog in this fight (I have two private spots at home), but I find the practice horrible, and as one who would otherwise dine at this place more than once a week, it makes me pause. They should respect the neighborhood, and I'm pretty sure that if they reached out to QVNA, they could use the lot for a fee; there is always an abundance of spots there, and I've considered getting an extra there for when we have guests.

**Momma Cass** · 05-15-2012, 01:32 PM

Well they do use 2nd Street too. Watch this weekend is you are around.... I know i will now....

**Momma Cass** · 05-15-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by loveisnoise

Valet services are to prove that they are putting cars in a parking lot so it doesn't affect surrounding parking. Wait until you see a big event at VB. fredericks used to park all their cars in the public lots on front street so deep that we couldn't get our car out when I lived there.

Graduation Time is approaching...

**Politburo** · 05-15-2012, 01:34 PM

I'm not saying it should or shouldn't be legal for valets to use street parking. I was disputing the idea that it was unfair to patrons of the valet.

Holding spaces is another issue altogether and should almost never be done (including during/after snow events).

**gren** · 05-15-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by thegreattwizz

So we're clear about this: if this took place in your neighborhood (already a relative lack of parking, exasperated by a business holding and using residential spaces for which they're charging), you wouldn't have a problem? If you had to walk an extra 4-5 blocks home because a business was valeting cars out front of your house, you wouldn't have a problem? I'm sorry that I don't believe that.

I don't even have a dog in this fight (I have two private spots at home), but I find the practice horrible, and as one who would otherwise dine at this place more than once a week, it makes me pause. They should respect the neighborhood, and I'm pretty sure that if they reached out to QVNA, they could use the lot for a fee; there is always an abundance of spots there, and I've considered getting an extra there for when we have guests.

Yes. I think I live in the city and I don't think I have a right to a space on a public street. I think it's first come first serve and it's fair game to use a space for any car that can be legally parked there. (If they're blocking off spaces trying to reserve them for their valet service that is illegal and should not be permitted.) I think that if the law permits them I don't have a problem with them doing it. If the law doesn't permit them then my problem with them doing it is solely because they're violating parking regulations not some deep down conviction. I believe street spaces should be made more expensive for residents to cut down on the excess demand we have from people (like me) who often keep a car here because parking is free or almost free. I also think we need more metered parking in the neighborhood so that people going to our restaurants have a better chance of finding a spot near their destination providing that they're willing to pay for it. In the end I'd be much happier if when a friend comes here they could find a meter and stay for 6 hours and pay $12 for that privilege or whatever the market rate would be than having to search for spots in areas where everyone congregates because there's no residential permit requirement.

**Momma Cass** · 05-15-2012, 01:50 PM

You can buy all day permits for six or seven bucks that your friends and/or family can use for the whole day.

**thegreattwizz** · 05-15-2012, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Politburo

I'm not saying it should or shouldn't be legal for valets to use street parking. I was disputing the idea that it was unfair to patrons of the valet.

Holding spaces is another issue altogether and should almost never be done (including during/after snow events).

I'm not saying it is unfair to the patrons of the valet; I'm saying it is unfair to the residents of the neighborhood.

Originally Posted by Momma Cass

You can buy all day permits for six or seven bucks that your friends and/or family can use for the whole day.

Yea, after I trudge out to the PPA, assuming there are spots available, which they're usually aren't. I do, however, have permits to use for guests.

**Ramón** · 05-16-2012, 11:38 PM

Well, somebody should tell the Saloon about this law. Since forever, they have been using the public lot across the street from them as their own private parking lot. A lot of times people actually think it is the Saloon's lot (which the Saloon not so subtly attempts to convey) and won't park there even if there is a spot (which is rarity).