Dear PoPville

“Does anyone have a better strategy to ensure their reserved parking is available, in addition to the signs?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I recently moved out of my apartment and jumped through all the appropriate hoops to get the street parking spots in front of my building reserved for a moving truck. My permits were approved well before my move, and I posted and verified the signs one week prior to my move date (signs must be posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance).

Despite all this, two cars were still parking in my reserved zone at 9am on the morning of my move! One had been there all night, and the other parked sometime that morning. Ultimately, I had to get both towed because A) I had hired movers to show up at 10am and B) there was nowhere else to park the truck without blocking the street. (more…)

“it usually works itself out.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I renewed my vehicle registration online last month and the form auto filled with registration and vehicle inspection fees. I elected to renew my RPP for another year. I drove down to the inspection station today and they informed me my inspection was not due until next year, per my inspection sticker. The employee said that sometimes this happens to people who only renew their registration for a year at a time and “it usually works itself out.” Has anyone else had this issue? I don’t think it’s worth trying to get a refund out of the DMV, but also….shouldn’t their records be accurate, especially if there is no way to unselect paying for inspection?”

“I’m looking for advice on fence permitting”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

I’m looking for advice on fence permitting in DC. We’re first time home buyers who just bought in Brightwood and are looking to put up a backyard privacy fence. There’s already a little brick “fence” separating our yard and our neighbor’s (we believe its our neighbors fence). Looking online it seems that there’s a few different portals I’m supposed to use (MissUtility/DC Permitting) and I need to get the neighbor’s permission. Can anyone speak to what exactly needs to be done? And how quickly DC permitting moves? We don’t close until the 23rd of Aug but are hoping to put the fence up over Labor Day weekend and it looks like we can’t register the request in the portal until after closing. (Knock on wood). Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thank you!!!!”

“I’m wondering what people think about putting some form of rent control on commercial properties?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J (Bonus point if you recognize what this is today.)

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering what people think about putting some form of rent control on commercial properties. No, I am not a communist or anything like that. But I think it could be a good thing, possibly, by fostering business and adding employment (lower barrier to entry for shopkeepers), while not bankrupting property owners. So what does everyone think?”

“Donating to DC Public Schools?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw

“Dear PoPville,

The back-to-school commercials have started, and I want to get started on donating supplies DCPS schools may need.

The DCPS website was a bit vague…so checking in with you for any best practices, needs that don’t get met, etc.? I don’t have any kids, but with a group of friends want to make sure we’re giving in the most useful way possible.”

“The covenant would be attached to be our property in perpetuity.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

“Dear PoPville,

Following up on your post about wet bars in basements, the requirements of the Zoning Administrator at DCRA continues to evolve.

We are renovating the unfinished basement of our one-bathroom rowhouse to add a full bath and living room with a wet bar. In order to approve the building permit, the Zoning Administrator is requiring us to submit a covenant prohibiting the use of the space as a separate dwelling unit. The covenant would be attached to be our property in perpetuity. (more…)

“Looking for any advice on choosing a smaller carrier for cellular service in D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Spiegel

“Dear PoPville,

A search of cellular carriers in Washington DC lists about 30 different carriers that use the networks of the big 4 (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile) for, allegedly, a fraction of the cost. Looking for any advice on choosing a smaller carrier for cellular service in DC, in terms of costs and customer service. FWIW, I have an awesome iPhone 5S.”

Sup with Sylvan Cafe Lately?

By Prince Of Petworth


104 Rhode Island Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

What’s the deal at Sylvan Cafe…that place was really good, and then awful. Was there an ownership change? Went in for Coffee and it is one of the worst coffees I have ever had. Also heard there were rumors that Windows was purchased, any validity to that?”

Anyone know what’s up on either front? Any fans of those New Jersey bagels?

“They’re looking for a tenant to fill the many needs within the area (coffee, plant shop, bookstore, home goods, etc etc)”

By Prince Of Petworth


14th and Randolph Street, NW – mural now covered by a new building going up next door

“Dear PoPville,

As has been reported recently, there has been increased crime happening on upper 14th street. This involves the sale of drugs, human trafficking, the source of which seems to culminate in front of a few vacant properties along the 3600 & 3800 block of 14th St NW.

This has become a growing problem, and in an effort to figure out what’s going on with these landlords who are just sitting on properties I reached out to the leasing agent of two properties on the 3600 block of 14th st NW between perry and spring which I walk past daily. He mentioned that the landlord is actively trying to find local small businesses to move into these locations and wants to find a great tenant to aide in the continuous improvement of upper 14th st. (more…)

“What are my options under the new TOPA laws?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been renting an English basement of a townhouse for several years, am happy with my living situation, and have maintained a friendly relationship with the landlords.

They’ve had some recent life changes and appear to be preparing to sell the house. But I would like to stay put, or at least be compensated reasonably for suddenly being put out.

I know that sometimes a new owner will keep an old tenant once buying the property, or that sometimes owners will often pay the tenant to minimize the burden on them (they’ll give them a security fee+rent for a month or two+moving costs, for example).

But that was under the old TOPA laws, which were recently changed so that people in my situation are no longer given priority. (more…)

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