DC Government

“We Really Don’t Want a Situation Where a Homeowner Can’t Make Minor Changes”

By Prince Of Petworth

The following was written by PoPville contributor David McAuley, founder of Short Articles about Long Meetings.


1627 Monroe Street, after and before. Credits (after): Photo taken at ANC meeting, (before) from propertyquest.dc.gov

At its regular monthly meeting on June 26, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D/Mount Pleasant voted unanimously to support a homeowner who does not want to rip out newly-installed front windows to comply with historic preservation requirements.

The owner of 1627 Monroe Street NW asked the ANC for support after the staff of DC’s historic preservation authorities recentlyrecommended against giving the homeowner retroactive approval for his windows. The matter is now on the agenda of the next meeting of DC’s Historic Preservation Review Board(HPRB), scheduled for today (June 28). The HPRB has jurisdiction over this matter because the house is in the Mount Pleasant Historic District.

The problem is that the new window is twice as wide as the window that was there before (see photo above). In other respects, it is quite similar. (more…)

“The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018 requires retail food establishments operating in the District of Columbia to accept cash as a form of payment.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Victoria Pickering

From Council Member Grosso’s office:

“Today Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced legislation that promotes equity at local businesses by ending the trend towards cashless retail, a discriminatory practice that excludes District residents who do not have a credit or debit card.

The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018 requires retail food establishments operating in the District of Columbia to accept cash as a form of payment. Further, it prohibits the discrimination against anyone who chooses to use cash as a form of payment, such as charging different prices. (more…)

Not A Good Look Vol. 55

By Prince Of Petworth

Phil writes:

“Do you know if the ANC members have placards? Seems odd, especially for them to use on a car with Maryland Tags.”

“Density, Historic Preservation, and Bureaucracy at U Street ANC Committee”

By Prince Of Petworth

The following was written by PoPville contributor David McAuley, founder of Short Articles about Long Meetings.


via Google streetview

The developers and the representatives of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B/U Street agree that they would be happy enough to get something, anything, built at 1914 8th Street NW to improve the crumbling eyesore of a building that is there now. The property was on the agenda of ANC1B’s Zoning, Preservation, & Development Committee meeting on June 18.

“I just want to see it done,” said Commissioner Jerry Johnson (district 02). The property in question is in Johnson’s district.

“It’s ridiculous that you have to go through so many layers of stupidity,” said another member of the committee, concerning the developer’s trip through the DC city bureaucracy.

“At this point, he just wants to build something,” said Armstrong Kassa, representative of developers SGA Companies, Inc., and of the owner of the building.


via google maps

The developer would be more than happy to construct a building that would add a few more housing units to a high density area within two blocks of a metro station and a stone’s throw from U Street. (more…)

Expanding Adams Morgan Liquor License Moratorium Zone Debated at ANC Meeting

By Prince Of Petworth

The following was written by PoPville contributor David McAuley, founder of Short Articles about Long Meetings.


proposed moratorium zone via Google maps

At its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting June 6, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1C/Adams Morgan heard a proposal to move, expand, and modify its liquor license moratorium zone. The moratorium zone will expire on August 18, 2018, unless DC authorities take action to renew it.

Current_Adams_Morgan_ABC_Moratorium (PDF)

After more than an hour’s discussion, the ANC voted unanimously to send the draft proposal back to its liquor-licensing affairs committee. (more…)

“Reserved Parking Verification – New System Issue”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

May want to let the universe know that there is an issue with the DDOT/DPW systems and DPW is sometimes not receiving the online sign verification request (with uploaded photos) from DDOT – the new procedure described on the back of the new signs that started June 1.

Also, while I am struggling to get my signs verified (which were properly posted more than 72 hours in advance), PoP readers, PLEASE if you are parked at 18th and Biltmore in Adams Morgan, move your car by Friday morning at 8 for my moving truck. Thanks!”

“in the case of legal basement apartments, it’s red tape as usual for DCRA”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

Several years ago you had some posts about DCRA streamlining the process to get legal C of Os for basement apartments. They had a whole website and they seemed to imply that they were making the process easier. I recently started the C of O process for my own basement apartment and nothing is easy or streamlined at all. It seems like I’m going to need to pay an architect thousands of dollars to make drawings of my house, and that’s not even including any work I’ll have to do to bring the apartment up to code.

I wanted PoPville readers to know that in the case of legal basement apartments, it’s red tape as usual for DCRA. It seems like whatever DCRA did was merely a PR push and didn’t actually translate to an easier process for DC homeowners.”

Ask and you Shall Receive “The enhanced signs provide information in a clearer format to help residents understand exactly when parking is restricted.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Above is the back of the sign

Following the frustration we spoke about earlier this week.

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the implementation of an enhanced Emergency No Parking/Reserved Parking Sign (ENP/RP) program. The enhanced signs provide information in a clearer format to help residents understand exactly when parking is restricted. The enhanced signs also provide updated instructions for posting and verifying signs to ensure correct placement. (more…)

Starting this Saturday “Outdoor pools have new hours opening an hour earlier, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.”!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Beautiful, beautiful Banneker. 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

From DPR:

“On Friday, May 25, at 4 pm, Mayor Muriel Bowser and The Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) invite DC residents and city officials to “Jump in DC” in celebration of the official beginning of the 2018 summer outdoor pool season at Randall Recreation Center. Who will jump in the pool this year? You will have to come see.

This annual pool party will include live entertainment, FITDC boot camp, aqua kickboxing, giveaways, a live broadcast by 93.9 WKYS and the ceremonial jumping into the pool.

Outdoor aquatic facilities will officially open on Saturday, May 26 at 11a.m. Outdoor pools have new hours opening an hour earlier, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Saturday, May 26, through Memorial Day Monday, May 28. Pools then remain open on a weekend-only schedule (Saturday and Sunday) through June 17. Starting June 18, all outdoor pools will operate on individual summer schedules. (more…)

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