[lora22]

Maybe someone can offer some insight on this. Mostly I'm just curious about this.

I live in a townhouse in suburbia, where everyone has an assigned parking spot in front of their house.

The garbage is supposed to be put on the curb for removal every week. However, as was the case today, if both parking spots assigned to this house have cars parked in them...well, clearly the trash can not be put on the curb directly in front of my house.

Because of that, today I put our trash on the corner on the curb to the left of the neighbor's house (the end of the row of parking). I guess this must be the neighbor's property (?? oops?? I guess I'm dumb, but it's really not obvious that that is part of the neighbor's property, and the only reason I did it was because when I looked, those areas [each row of 4 homes on the street has two of those areas on either side of the row of 4] was where every single other person put their trash, with one exception. Only ONE person on the entire street put their trash in front of their home instead of one of those areas.)

When I went to the back door to unlock it to let myself in when I brought the trash can back around the house this afternoon, there was an envelope taped to the door, and the trash can was back in the yard.

In the envelope was a very politely worded, TYPED note saying welcome to the neighborhood, and explaining that as a new neighbor I must not be aware of the neighborhood's code of ethics, which states that the trash needs to be placed on the curb directly in front of my own home. (OK, so if this happens again I'll have to find another street without reserved parking to park my car on and walk back and just keep moving my car on trash day. That's fine, but f'n annoying.)

The note wasn't signed, but it's obvious who wrote it, since there's only one neighbor to my left who would care that the trash was there. I'm not MAD, and they were nice about it, but I've never met them, and I don't understand why they wouldn't sign their name. I'd like the chance to apologize, and thank them for putting the trash barrel back, but since they didn't bother to sign the note (it's anonymously signed "your neighbor") it seems they want to avoid any possible confrontation.

And, yeah, I'm a little annoyed, but probably mostly because I had a really crappy day and am in a really crappy mood.

[carhill]

City folk can be pretty territorial about the street and city easement that they don't legally control but is in front of their house. You met one of them.

I am a bit confused though. Are you saying, when all parking spots on the street are occupied, there is no place to put a trash can for collection? Sounds engineered wrong, since there's no guarantee that people will remove their vehicles on trash day. Perhaps you can elaborate

[lora22]

Originally Posted by carhill

City folk can be pretty territorial about the street and city easement that they don't legally control but is in front of their house. You met one of them.

I am a bit confused though. Are you saying, when all parking spots on the street are occupied, there is no place to put a trash can for collection? Sounds engineered wrong, since there's no guarantee that people will remove their vehicles on trash day. Perhaps you can elaborate

They won't pick up the trash unless it's on the curb, and the closest to the curb I can get if the cars are there is the sidewalk. Not only would they not see it over the cars, I don't think it's legal to be on the sidewalk, and there wouldn't be a fast (and safe for the cars) way to get to and remove the trash.

So short of placing the trash on the sidewalk, or where I did yesterday, no, there is no place to put the trash, aside from the curb in front of the house, and move the cars.

Might have to call the landlord about this, because I agree that doesn't make sense.

[carhill]

Yeah, I think I would get some input from the landlord or property manager. That doesn't sound right. There should be a common collection area or sufficient room at each domicile for collection. Man, you folks must be packed in like sardines there to not have enough room for a trash can at the curb. Also, check with the city waste disposal division for guidance. Perhaps they can offer alternatives or guide you as to what is 'legal' and what is not.

[Ronni_W]

Originally Posted by lora22

I'd like the chance to apologize, and thank them for putting the trash barrel back, but since they didn't bother to sign the note (it's anonymously signed "your neighbor") it seems they want to avoid any possible confrontation.

Lora,
It doesn't have to be confrontational at all. Knock on their door with some coffee and cookies. "Uh...I'm assuming this is your note? I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks so much for your understanding and patience. Do you know how the former residents of the place I'm now occupying handled the problem I'm having? Or, would you mind if I did use that piece of curb when it's necessary?"

Anonymous notes are just a coward's way of bullying people (passive-aggressive.) You don't have to let "your neighbour" get away with that; and maybe it will help future relations if you show early on that you are assertive and will not be bullied. And none of it has to be confrontational.

[carhill]

I've practiced what Ronni is selling and results are mixed. In one case, the fence that was laying on my mother's property (not a common fence) did get fixed in about six months. Another had the sheriff in our living room over a noise dispute (neighbor making the noise). Even with a sworn complaint after polite assertion, nothing ever happened. Fortunately, the neighbor stopped paying their mortgage and the house now has weeds growing in it and they're long gone.

Personally, I'd apprise myself of the facts and rules first (meaning local statute and CC&R's, etc), then go have a nice assertive cup of coffee with the neighbor. That way you can accept responsibility and be politely assertive from the perspective of the law, which is a commonality which you and your neighbor share.

[Ronni_W]

Originally Posted by carhill

I've practiced what Ronni is selling and results are mixed.

That's a good point, carhill -- like any other skill, it does take practice to get it perfect. No worries, though, you'll get it better one of these days .

Lora, naturally do not attempt anything that anybody is selling if you don't feel comfortable with it. And I trust you realized that I wasn't discounting any other suggestions, just offering an additional.
In any case, I hope you get the matter satisfactorily resolved.

[lora22]

Thanks for the replies, they were all very helpful. I'm still not entirely sure how I'm going to handle the situation, but it's on my to-do for this week.