Use of cones to block access to parking isn’t worth the cost

Q In response to the letter regarding people putting cones in parking spaces in front of their homes, I live in a neighborhood with auto shops who all park their vehicles on the street for months on end. If you leave a space they will park one of their vehicles in that space and leave it. Or drivers outside the neighborhood will leave their cars for weeks.

Our neighborhood has pleaded with San Jose police and Vehicle Abandonment to do something about it but they do nothing. I know you won’t print this because you only print letters that support your personal views, but that’s why there are cones. That is all we have.

— Tim Ryan, San Jose

A

And it is against the law and has led to fights among squabbling residents. Public streets cannot be coned off, despite the difficulty of finding an open parking spot. I understand your frustration, but what can you do? Unless parking is limited to those with permits, not much I am afraid. Q

In the wake of your recent column about the egregious towing rates in our dear city, I found myself at the mercy of C and M Towing following a Sharks game last week.

Admittedly, I parked illegally in the Target lot on Coleman Avenue and didn’t heed the “No Event Parking” signs.

No argument here that I am a scofflaw, but hope you can alert your readers to the fact that parking in this lot while attending an SAP event can cost them at least $395. Beyond the humiliation of $200 for the half-mile tow, $95 storage fee and $100 gate fee was the disrespectful, dismissive and intimidating behavior of the C and M staff, as they processed each Sharks fan.

— Barry Goldman-Hall,

San Jose

A

Sharks fans, you have been warned. This is more expensive than a beer, hot dog or nachos.

Q

Regarding BART parking in Milpitas, it’s just a short walk from the free parking at the Great Mall to the Milpitas BART station. There’s even a controlled crosswalk across Montague Expressway. Unless the mall does something to restrict parking, BART riders will find parking there very attractive. I’ve seen people parking at the mall when the 49ers are at home and getting on light rail to go to Levi’s Stadium, so there is precedent.

— Jerry Frazee

A

Unless the mall folks treat parking there like at Target for our Sharks.

VTA encourages passengers to park at the Milpitas station. Parking at other neighboring facilities could result in fines or towed vehicles. When the Milpitas station opens there will be a garage for 1,200 cars and another 435 in a streetlevel lot. And the Berryessa station garage can handle 1,150 spaces plus another 328 in an adjacent lot with room to expand.