‘Attack on individuality,’ says driver facing $100 a day HOA fines over his unique car – they branded it a ‘distraction’ | 2JS504Y | 2024-04-30 12:08:01
'Attack on individuality,' says driver facing $100 a day HOA fines over his unique car – they branded it a 'distraction' | 2JS504Y | 2024-04-30 12:08:01
A DRIVER'S custom ride has captured adoring national fans and the ire of his HOA.
An HOA smacked a driver with daily $100 parking fines in his driveway because his car was shaped like a chicken.
Patrick Taylor drove a remodeled 1993 Ford Mustang with a fiberglass chicken head and saddle feathers attached in 2018, according to Illinois-based ABC affiliate WLS.
Taylor became a fan of the car when he was younger. He said he watched the car strut down his hometown's street during parades.
He purchased the car after the original owner sold it – he built a social media following from the vehicle and its message.
Taylor – who struggled with his mental health in high school – drove the car cross-country to raise funds and awareness for mental health causes.
"I get comments and messages from people on social media indicating that I've made their day better," he said.
But his HOA disagreed.
Taylor's neighborhood had a shared parking lot for all homeowners.
Several neighbors complained to the housing authority about his car being parked in the shared lot.
At the time, his HOA imposed daily $100 fines on the driver, arguing the vehicle was commercial, not passenger.
The agency said his social media presence and merchandise made the car ineligible to park in the shared lot.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> But Taylor said he needed the car as his daily driver.
"I feel like it's an attack on individuality," he told the television studio.
The HOA also told the television studio the car was a "distraction" and called it "not road worthy."
Letters from the association asked Taylor to remove the car from public view.
But he found a way to fight back.
<p class="article__content--intro"> Parking on a public street is generally legal, even in front of someone's house, experts say. </p> </div> </div> Taylor organized a Change Petition aimed at keeping his car in his driveway.
"The Chicken Car has been my pride and joy for the last seven years," he wrote on the petition.
"Permitting the Chicken Car to park freely will enable me to dedicate more time and effort into projects that truly matter."
More than 2,000 people signed the petition in Taylor's support.
It is unknown what resolution the two parties reached.
More >> https://ift.tt/3fW67c0 Source: MAG NEWS
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