Siget Loses 50 Parking Spaces as Parish Installs Fence, Citing Need for Order

Residents of Siget, a neighborhood in Zagreb, are expressing frustration after the local parish of the Holy Cross fenced off a parking lot, resulting in the loss of about 50 parking spaces. The parish cited the need to protect its property and ensure the normal functioning of church activities as the reason for the enclosure.

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The parish parking lot is having a gate installed and its use regulated to protect monastery property and ensure the normal functioning of the parish. This is a parking lot owned by the church/monastery and was intended from the beginning as part of the church-monastery complex.

In a statement to parishioners, the parish explained that the parking area is church-owned land, designated from the outset as part of the church and monastery complex. It is intended to provide access for parishioners, visitors, the elderly, disabled individuals, and those attending liturgical services and parish events. The parish noted that the lot had been open and accessible for many years but increasing numbers of vehicles, often unrelated to church activities, led to difficulties in utilizing the space for its intended purpose.

The decision to install a gate and fence is described as a measure to regulate the use of private church property, ensuring regular parish operations and proper access. The parish emphasized that the action is not directed against neighbors or any specific individuals but aims to restore the parking lot's intended use. They requested understanding during the ongoing work and the subsequent arrangement for the lot's permanent usage.

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The parking lot has been open and available for many years, but due to the increasing number of cars and increasingly frequent long-term parking of vehicles not related to parish activities, the parish has been brought into a situation where it is increasingly difficult to use its own space for the purposes for which the parking lot was built.

The situation has sparked discontent among Siget residents, where parking is already a challenge and generally subject to payment. While some residents are upset about the loss of free parking, others acknowledge that this specific lot was never part of the paid parking system. Local authorities, including the city district council, are seeking further details from the parish and the city's public transport company, Holding, to clarify the situation and potential implications.

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The installation of a gate and fence is therefore not directed against parishioners, neighbors, or any person, but represents a measure to regulate the use of private church space, in order to enable the regular functioning of the parish, access to the church, and the use of the parking lot for its actual purpose.