Dear PoPville

“DCRA allowed my solar panels to be shaded by a developer’s 3rd story addition”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I am writing you because a D.C. agency (DCRA) is not complying with DC’s own laws when it comes to building\zoning. DC code has protections for rooftop solar panels, but despite my continuous, years-long protest, DCRA allowed my solar panels to be shaded by a developer’s 3rd story addition. DCRA’s behavior throughout their noncompliance with DC’s own laws exemplifies negligence, cronyism, and wastefulness. I hope you will help bring this to light.

Early in 2016, I purchased and installed a rooftop solar panel system. I took this step when I found that DC had passed a law protecting solar panel owners from the negative effects of a developer building a 3rd floor addition adjacent to a rooftop solar system. Later in 2016, a developer purchased the house next to me and immediately started work without obtaining the proper permits, which has structurally damaged my house. I spoke with the architect regarding the unpermitted work and the scope of the project; she said they planned on adding a 3rd story. I told her it would negatively affect the operation of my solar system, and there were regulations against that kind of work. I made it clear who I was and that I lived in the house. She repeatedly told me that I can object but can’t stop them. From the start, the architect and developer demonstrated extreme disregard for DC’s construction regulations, and the negative effects their construction would have on neighbors. (more…)

Senior dog grooming?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Idit Knaan

“Dear PoPville,

Our dog will be 15 yrs young in August. For the past 8 months he’s been battling an eye disease in both eyes. His left eye healed and his right eye did not, which resulted in it removal. It’s been 3 wks since his procedure and he’s back to his normal lively ways (yay!!). During all of this we’ve been unable to properly groom him. We need a groomer who will take great caution when trimming around his face because his remaining eye is still susceptible to injury. Does the PoPville community have any recommendations for senior dog groomers or dog groomers that make house calls?”

“When is loitering not really loitering?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

For years, a group of men have hung out on our street in DC smoking, drinking, and mostly talking about the Redskins and Wizards. One or two live on the street but most of the men do not live elsewhere (a few drive in with MD and VA tags). One by one, they arrive in the early afternoon and stay until late in the evening or early the next morning. While annoying, we pretty much dealt with it. Recently they have started to bring folding chairs and a charcoal grill. Not only do they block the sidewalk but they leave their trash on the ground and walk into the nearby alley to relieve themselves. (more…)

“I am having THE WORST time with my surrendered license plate.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

“Dear PoPville,

I am having THE WORST time with my surrendered license plate. After surrendering, my husband dropped the actual plate at FT Totten Transfer station to be shredded like the DMV website said, this was in November and December 2018. In April 2019 I started getting tickets on my old plate, which I surrendered. It is up to 900 dollars in fines already. (more…)

“So does DC define how often carpet needs to be replaced?”

By Prince Of Petworth

14th St. – Washington, DC

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I saw a recent post from a landlord asking for help from the community so I thought I would follow up and ask the community about withheld security deposit from the renter.

Currently in a dispute with my landlord over $300. He is withholding $250 for the basement carpet that he says is damaged and needs a steam clean and sections need to be replaced. Even though I lived in the house for three years and steam cleaned it once a year. So does DC define how often carpet needs to be replaced? I also know the carpet has not been replaced in at least 5 years as a friend lived in the house before me. (more…)

“there are 4 or 5 different poles standing and have been there for months.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

All this construction on 14th has left a lot of intersections less safe, such as here at 14th and Florida where all the posts seem to be facing each other and the crosswalk indicator seems to be gone (?). Any news on when the old posts will be taken away and the new ones finalized (and pointed in the right direction) at these relatively high traffic intersections? (more…)

“Does anyone know what’s happening over here?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

There used to be a gas station in the slice of land in Eastern Georgetown bounded by 28th, M, and Pennsylvania. The gas station was torn down a couple of years ago, and now it’s just an empty lot with this window standing alone. Does anyone know what’s going on here?”

“I am hoping some other fellow landlords can provide some advice.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley

“Dear PoPville,

Tenants recently moved out of my house in DC. I inspected the property two days after they moved out, and everything seemed in order. Because they had just bought a house, I wanted to be nice to them and return their deposit asap, which I did right after the inspection. Three days later, I moved back into the house and discovered the washing machine gasket was covered in mold and hair. I know to expect some mold in the gasket, but this went beyond normal wear and tear. Three days of trying everything (Concorbium, bleach, baking soda paste, etc…) has done nothing to remove the smell or the mold stains. (more…)

Best online dating apps/websites?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user LaTur

“Dear PoPville,

There have been some recent RRRRs in which people have asked about others’ experiences with online dating platforms… any chance you might be willing to do a PoPville thread on the topic?”

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