Dear PoPville

“Advice on Major Yard Overhaul”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ketzirah Lesser & Art Drauglis

“Dear PoPville,

I want to do a major yard overhaul – redoing the parking pad, walkways, front steps, putting in a retaining wall, replacing sad patchy grass with low-maintenance ground-cover plants. But I don’t even know where to start. I think I’ll need a hardscaping contractor and a landscape architect? Who do I call first? Or would one company do both services? If I have two parties, how do I manage the budget? For example, if I have a landscape architect do the design work, but then hardscaping contractors give me quotes that are way too high, will I need to pay the landscape architect all over again?

If anyone has done a similar project, how much did it cost? My yard’s not big (lot size is just under 4000 sq ft), but it’s a lot of work.

I’d also love any recommendations.”

“DCRA has also approved revised permits (several of which to the deceased owner’s husband who predeceased her in the 90s)”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I am the neighbor of a house that has been issued 2 stop work orders. The house was bought by Dilan Investments in April 2018 from the estate of the previous owner. Over the course of a few days, Dilan gutted the house down to a dirt subfloor, which included demolishing the back exterior wall, all first floor joists, half of the second floor joists, all interior walls, and the staircase. Only postcard permits for non load bearing/ non structural work had been approved at this point. On April 25, stop work order was issued by DCRA for exceeding the scope of the permits and failure to notify neighbors as required by DC Code when the work affects adjoining properties (removing all the joists affects party walls and foundations).

Since April 25, DCRA has not required Dilan to secure the unsupported party walls nor required them to place a barrier to cover the exterior of the home which is open to the elements and rodents. Both of these actions are required by DC Code.

DCRA has also approved revised permits (several of which to Mr. W, the deceased owner’s husband who predeceased her in the ’90s) while the stop work order has been in place and without neighbor notifications. Dilan asserted that his permits were approved and the stop work order was lifted and removed it from the window. DCRA posted a new stop work order but also continued to approve permits without requiring the neighbor notification. A DCRA employee stated that the permit should not have been approved while the stop work order is effective. Additionally, how are the permits valid if they were issued to the deceased prior owner, Mr. W. (more…)

“Is this or is this not a car share station?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

At the corner of Harry Thomas Way and Eckington Place NE there are 3 parking spaces that are not metered. There’s a sign that clearly looks like a car share station used to be there but not any more. There are no “no parking” signs and the car share pavement markings have been painted over. Yet when I parked my car there a parking enforcement person was about to write a ticket as I was walking up. I tried to tell her this was clearly not a zipcar station anymore but she said as long as the old post was still there she’d write tickets.

Note that one of the spaces wasn’t even marked by a blacked out car share pavement marking.”

“I would like to get some clarification on a DC parking violation”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville,

I would like to get some clarification on a DC parking violation a friend of mine received. The violation was for obstructing the sidewalk. He parked his car in my driveway and the rear end of the car stuck out into the sidewalk. My house runs from street to street so the driveway and the sidewalk is in my back yard.

Does anyone know how far into a sidewalk a car may go? (more…)

“what happens if a bystander is injured in a fight?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

This past Sunday evening, I boarded a 30N bus on Capitol Hill to head to Georgetown and sat in the first row of the back section. A couple of stops after I got on, three teenagers, one girl and two guys, boarded and sat in the very back behind me. A few minutes later, I heard smacking sounds and turned to see the girl and one of the guys starting to physically fight and shout at each other. (more…)

Spots Available: “Camp Kesem provides a free, week-long summer camp for kids who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I am also a volunteer for an organization called Camp Kesem. Camp Kesem provides a free, week-long summer camp for kids who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor. There are currently four Camp Kesem chapters in the DC area, based out of George Mason University, the George Washington University, Howard University, and the University of Maryland.

I am writing because there are still quite a few spots available for camp this summer. Each of the camps will be held for one week this August, and transportation to the camp will be provided from a central DC location.

(more…)

High on Hyattsville? Tell a prospective home owner what you love about it.

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I are looking to buy our first home and are interested in buying in Hyattsville (in fact we’re putting an offer on a house this week) because of the proximity to the District and the affordability. We both work downtown and have lived in the District for 10 years, and admittedly, we aren’t that familiar with Hyattsville’s culture. We’d love to hear from anyone who lives there or has anything to say about the quality of life there.”

Ed. Note: Read about a bike trip to Franklin’s in Hyattsville here and see a recent Good Deal or Not? in Hyattsville here.

Ed. Note two/too: I have very good friends who live in Hyattsville and I absolutely love it there. In fact I plan on expanding PoPville’s coverage to Hyattsville because I love the vibe there so much.

“Looking for suggestions for where to donate baby and children’s clothing.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

Looking for suggestions for where to donate baby and children’s clothing. I have a car load of great stuff and I tried to go to Martha’s Table but they turned me away saying it was more clothing than they could accept. I did some Googling, assuming I’d find mention of some homeless family organizations or women’s shelters but none seemed to want this type of donation. Bonus points if it’s in the District and open on weekends.”

Legit or Counterfeit No Parking Sign? Part Two

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

In follow up to your recent post on possible scam parking signs please find the attached photo. I’ve never seen any other signs reserving street parking for a singular business so I assume it’s a scam. Extra points for painting the curb, another rarity in DC. From Michigan Ave, NE near Brookland Metro.”

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