DC Government

Friday Question of the Day – Should Liquor Stores Be Allowed to Sell on Sundays? (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

If you ever have a topic you’d like to see discussed on Friday please send your suggestions in an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail with Friday Question of the Day in the subject line.

A reader sends in this news from the Washington Post:

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said today he is likely to recommend allowing Sunday sales for holders of Class A (liquor store) licenses as part of the city budget. The additional $710,000 in sales tax revenue that would be generated by dropping the restriction would go some way toward the $3.2 million Graham needs to find to kill Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s proposal to extend bar hours as late as 4 a.m.

In late March we discussed whether or not bars should be allowed to stay open an hour later. How about Sunday liquor sales?

Do you think liquor stores should be allowed to sell liquor on Sundays? If so, should there be any restrictions? Do you think this is a good way for the District to raise revenue?


Dear PoPville – Light Pole Blocking Access to Property – Who Should We Contact?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

We recently bought a place in the H street area, and have a problem with a light pole blocking access to our backyard. The alley light pole is located directly behind our house and prevents us from fully opening our back gate to achieve full access to the rear of our property. We cannot use the area for parking or to stage any sort of construction materials, for future repairs or upgrades to our property. Development in the area has picked up rapidly in the past year and street parking has become very limited, prompting our desire to utilize the space and lessen the burden on the already limited street parking in the neighborhood.

The alley light pole is DC Department of Transportation (DCDOT) property and they have agreed to allow for the relocation of the pole, but are unwilling to share in the financial responsibility of the process. As this is a public space obstruction to our private property, do you or your readers believe the financial burden for relocation of the pole remains with the DCDOT, or with us as the property owners?

We had been working with DDOT to try and reconcile this issue, but they recently sent us a letter that formally denied our petition. We’ve considered contacting our councilmember (Tommy Wells), but do you have any recommendations for who to contact, or how to deal with this issue?

We offered to agree to some compromise on financial burden and even suggested programs for DCDOT to budget for the poles relocation (replace the pole under the Districts LED alley light pole project). We believe that the pole is in such a state of disrepair that DCDOT is using this opportunity to force a district homeowner to shoulder the financial burden of replacing a piece of their failing infrastructure.

While we were obviously aware of the problem when we bought the place, nothing in the property deed mentioned the allowance of a negative easement. We made the assumption that we could work with the city to deal with it, either through joint funding or, at the very least, a payment plan. What ended up happening is that they (DCDOT) were very responsive and got someone out there right away to look at it, never mentioned costs, and at the point of scheduling the move (for the next day) informed us that it would cost us $12,000. They never gave us the opportunity to get private estimates. We submitted a letter challenging the cost, which was then transferred to their legal department where it sat for 9 months and then they finally denied our petition.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Asian American Groups Launch “Say Sorry Barry” Campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

Today, a coalition of DC Asian American advocacy groups launched the Say Sorry Barry Campaign urging DC Councilmember Marion Barry to apologize for his insensitive remarks toward the Asian American community, most recently about Filipino nurses, and to uphold his commitment to meet with local Asian American leaders. On Monday evening this week, Councilmember Barry said of the University of the District of Columbia’s Nursing Program:

“In fact, it is so bad, that if you go to the hospital now, you’ll find a number of immigrants who are nurses, particularly from the Philippines, and no offense, but let’s grow our own teachers, let’s grow our own nurses, and so that we don’t have to go scrounging in our community clinics and other kinds of places, having to hire people from somewhere else.”

In response to his comments the Say Sorry Barry Campaign issued a letter, part of which read:

“[W]e take issue with Councilmember Barry’s claims that Filipino nurses, teachers and immigrants are not members of “our” community. In saying so, Councilmember Barry dismisses immigrants’ talents and contributions to our neighborhoods because of who they are and where they come from.”

The letter has received support from 27 local and national Asian Pacific American advocacy groups including Filipino Americans for Progress, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Three weeks ago, Councilmember Barry faced criticism for his remarks aimed at “dirty” Asian American business owners in his ward. Following the criticism, Barry agreed to meet with the Mayor’s Office of the D.C. Commission on AAPI Affairs last week. Councilmember Barry did not attend that meeting.

The Say Sorry Barry Campaign is urging Councilmember Barry to stop using divisive rhetoric and to understand that his Asian American constituents deserve the same respect as other District residents. As stated in the sign-on letter, the campaign hopes to support Councilmember Barry’s work in improving our communities, but that work must happen on a foundation of trust and respect.

Dear PoPville – Can You Lose Your Homestead Deduction for Putting an Addition on Your House?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos

Dear PoPville,

I want to add a two car garage, fence and patio to my property. I am currently interviewing construction companies for estimates. I told one of my friends, who is also a DC resident, of my plans and she said that anyone who files a permit for an addition on their property automatically loses the homestead deduction on their taxes for one year. I can’t get anyone to answer at DCRA. Has anyone put up an addition, whether it be similar to mine or a sun room, roof deck etc and lost their homestead deduction?

Friday Question of the Day – Should DC’s Building Height Limits Be Lifted? (Take Two)

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday the Washington Post published a story titled Gray, Issa consider relaxing D.C. building height limits:

Issa, Gray and Norton said they primarily envision minor modifications to the height restrictions, perhaps an additional story onto some projects. But even a small change could make District buildings sleeker, raise ceiling heights and provide more opportunity for green space, architects said.

Issa said he’s also exploring whether the District should have greater flexibility to consider even taller buildings in areas away from downtown, a change that could one day remake parts of Northeast and Southeast and help the city absorb new residents and businesses.

Under the Height Act, a building on a commercial street can not exceed 20 feet greater than the width of the facing street, to a maximum of 130 feet. There is an exception on Pennsylvania Avenue between 1st and 15th streets NW, where buildings can rise to 160 feet.

Back in Jan. 2009 after polling PoPville about this 62% said it should not be lifted and 38% should be lifted. I’m wondering if folks still feel the same way? If you think they should be lifted – should there be any limits at all? If so, what should the new limit be? Do you think the restrictions should only be limited to downtown?


Taxi Rates Increasing to $2.16 per Mile Starting April 21st

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

The Examiner reports:

“The DC Taxicab Commission on Wednesday raised the rate to $2.16 per mile, up from $1.50 per mile. It also increased the wait-time rates, which kick in any time the cab is going slower than 10 mph, to $25 per hour, up from $15 per hour.”

At least the $1 surcharge for extra passengers is being removed unless the taxi is a van…

The 5pm Post – DC 311 App Launched

By Prince Of Petworth

Now available for free at the Itunes Apple Store:

“For those pesky potholes, damaged street signs, and other local problems that get you down, the DC311 app makes reporting a problem easier than ever. This iPhone, and iPad compatible, app uses GPS to recognize your location and gives you a menu of common quality-of-life conditions to select from. The app allows you to upload pictures to accompany your request. The mobile app can also be used for a variety of other issues such as graffiti, street maintenance, street light issues, damaged trees, parking meters, and bulk collection. Residents can track the status of reports they or other members of the community have submitted.”

Dear PoPville – Sherman Ave Construction Frustration

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I am floored by progress that I see on new constructions like the one across the street from me (I live at City Vista on L and there is a building that has gone up in less than a year.) Why is it that buildings can go up, get furnished and be done what seems like 100 times faster than road fixes (i.e. Military road 1 block, Sherman ave: the whole thing.) Who do we need to complain to?

Anticipated completion is not until July 8, 2012. I think it takes so long because the have to block traffic and do it one small section at a time as opposed to a building that doesn’t face the same obstacles. Hopefully it’ll be done by July!

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