DC Government

“Looming Federal Government Shutdown Will Not Create Service Changes for District Residents, Businesses, or Visitors”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ian Livingston

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser today vowed to keep the District open in the event of a Federal Government shutdown. The Mayor was joined by Deputy City Administrator Kevin Donahue, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Chris Shorter, and a delegation of DC Government agency leaders.

“Leadership is about stepping up, not shutting down,” said Mayor Bowser. “Shutdown or no shutdown – DC is open.”

As part of the District’s plan to remain open during a federal government shutdown, the Department of Public Works will take over litter collection for the National Parks Service’s (NPS) 126 properties across the District that would otherwise not be serviced during a shutdown. In the event of inclement weather, DPW would also treat and clear NPS roadways. (more…)

“I’m reaching out to alert readers to more DCRA incompetence and uncooperative attitude”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’m reaching out to alert readers to more DCRA incompetence and uncooperative attitude.

My business partner and I are trying to start a food truck. We have followed every regulation, requirement, completed all necessary applications, provided all necessary documentation – and we are told that DCRA will not accept our application for a business license because we do not own the food truck.

We are leasing it from an individual who no longer wishes to operate a food truck. The truck meets all DC codes, is in good standing with valid tags and registration, and the owner has provided us with all of the necessary documents that the regulations state we need if we are not the owners of the vehicle.

DCRA is now stating that the regulations are wrong, and mistakenly typed. Upon pressing them to provide the regulation that states we must be on the vehicle registration in order to obtain a business license, we have been completely stonewalled. Repeated attempts to contact them have gone ignored. (more…)

PSA: Remember to Call 202-541-6083 To Verify You’re No Parking Permits

By Prince Of Petworth

Oof, painful/expensive lesson from Stevie:

“HEY THANKS NEIGHBOR FOR RIPPING DOWN MY SIGNS. Also glad that NOWHERE on said sign informed me that I had to call to have them verified. I just double checked my emails from my app process and SHOCKING it’s not in there. So for trying to be a good citizen I spent $60 and posted 72 hours in advance for NOTHING.

The 311 rep I spoke with acted like it was very common knowledge. She was very kind and felt badly for me but there was nothing she could do.”

In fairness, DDOT responded:

“Can you send me your tracking number, we’ll take a look at this for you. Generally, the verification instructions are on the second page printed out with the permit and listed on our website.”

Update from Stevie:

“Someone just reached out from the permit office– was super helpful and apologetic. Also, said a new and more clear permit process will be out shortly.”

Ed. Note: Call 202-541-6083 Monday to Saturday to verify signs: Sign Verification Procedures (PDF).

“DCRA no longer allows building wet bar in basement”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Flickr user Trader Scott

NO!!!!!!! A reader reports:

“I am currently renovating my basement, and my contractor was at DCRA last week to ask some questions. While there, he heard that starting 2018, DCRA is no longer approving building permits, where the owner wants to renovate and add a wet bar in the basement. Apparently this is coming from the zoning administrator. The concern is people often turn them into kitchens after the fact. I don’t remember hearing any announcements or discussions to this effect in a public forum – and am curious what others think.

However, I find the idea that the city won’t let a homeowner put a wet bar in his or her basement outrageous. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Announces $4.7 Million Investment in Kingman and Heritage Islands; Southern Portion of Kingman Island to be Designated Critical Wildlife Area for Habitat Conservation”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, in honor of the Year of the Anacostia, Mayor Bowser announced significant conservation and investment commitments for Kingman and Heritage Islands. The Mayor directed the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to designate portions of both islands as a State Conservation Area and the southern area of Kingman Island as a Critical Wildlife Area. The State Conservation Area designation mimics the federal covenant for the islands, restricting their use to environmental, educational, and recreational purposes. In addition, the Mayor also announced a new $4.7 million investment for educational and recreational improvements on the islands.

“Our goal is a fishable, swimmable Anacostia River, and over the past few years, we have made tremendous progress toward that goal. However, there is more to do, and these conservation designations and this new funding will help us get that work done,” said Mayor Bowser. “Efforts and investments like these are how we will become the healthiest, greenest, and most sustainable city in the world.”

Consistent with the Kingman Island & Heritage Island Planning and Feasibility Study, the new investment will support outdoor classrooms, bathrooms, and accessible routes and pathways for visitors to the islands. (more…)

“Riverkeeper” Hopes to Swim in the Anacostia in 2019

By Prince Of Petworth

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


Photo by Mr.TinDC

“I’m ready to jump in next year,” said Emily Franc, after Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D/Waterfront Chair Andy Litsky expressed skepticism.


Emily Franc. Photo by David McAuley

Franc introduced herself to the ANC last night (January 8) as the “Anacostia Riverkeeper“, a title she holds as a leader of a non-governmental organization of the same name. She admitted elsewhere that her desire for a swimmable Anacostia next year was a “hope”, and not a solid prediction.
“We’re a year or two away from that,” she said. (more…)

“DC Initiative to Remove Zoning Requirement for Child-care Providers”

By Prince Of Petworth

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

“We are trying to grow the universe of child care,” a DC education official told Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E/Shaw at its regularly-scheduled meeting on January 2.

Toward that end, DC’s Office of Planning (OP) is initiating a change in zoning regulations which will remove it from the business of regulating child-care facilities, in the hope of streamlining the process for people who want to get into the business. The proposed change would leave the supervision of child-care establishments largely in the hands of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Eva Laguerre, Director of the License and Compliance Unit of OSSE’s Division of Early Learning, urged the ANC to write a letter in support of the change. She also urged members of the community to come out and testify in support of the measure at an upcoming hearing. (more…)

“Shaw Flooding: It WILL Happen Again, Get Prepared”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by David McAuley

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

Experts from DC Water said last night (January 2) that the storms that caused last summer’s flooding in Shaw were “one- to five-year events”. They also said that DC Water’s Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project (NEBT), currently under construction and designed to remedy the flooding, would not be completed until 2023. The implication is that flooding and sewer backups could easily happen again in Shaw, perhaps more than once, before the situation improves. DC Water is offering homeowners in potentially affected areas, including Shaw, a rebate program to encourage improvements to prevent sewer backup when (not if) the next storm of a similar type comes. (more…)

Christmas Tree PSA – Not Like This

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Erin for sending:

“Pro tip: remove the ornaments and lights before putting your tree on the curb… (From the 2000 block of 12th St NW)”

Ed. Note: More info on how to recycle your tree here. Remember: “trees should be placed where your recyclables are regularly collected between Jan. 13 and Feb. 2. Curbside ONLY if that’s where your recyclables are normally collected.” Also don’t wait until October. And speaking of recycling, the expanded list of what can be, and MUST now be recycled is here.

Starting January 1st that Expanded List of What Can Be Recycled in D.C. is Mandatory. “Supports District’s Goal of Diverting 80% of its Waste”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

From DPW:

“Earlier this year an expanded list of recyclable items was announced in the District. While residents serviced by the Department of Public Works (DPW) have been able to recycle the new items for several months, starting on January 1, 2018, all residential and commercial properties–including multi-family dwellings, office buildings, and restaurants–will be required to recycle this full suite of materials. And to make things simple, the items that should be recycled are now uniform throughout DC–whether you’re at home, work, or school.

The District strives to achieve a goal of diverting 80 percent of citywide waste from landfills and waste to energy facilities. The increased number of recyclable items and focus on resident education aims to assist in achieving this goal.

New items added to the list of recyclable items in the District include: pizza boxes; paper and plastic plates, cups, lids, and to-go containers; plastic produce, deli/bakery containers, and trays. (more…)

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