parking

From the Forum – Idea for Reducing Parking Congestion

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JamesCalder

Idea for Reducing Parking Congestion:

“I’ve been living in DC for the past two years, but didn’t have a car until the past few weeks after my commute changed. (I’m currently in Columbia Heights.) I’m not familiar with what DOT has tried to reduce parking congestion (other than discouraging vehicle ownership), but I thought residential areas could benefit from this idea that I haven’t seen discussed here.

Most of the time, when I’m looking for a spot, I’ll notice that cars are poorly spaced. Often, enough so that one could fit 2-3 additional cars on a block if the cars were properly spaced.

I’d propose that DC paint lines or even short markers (~ft long) from the sidewalk out to mark parking spots sized appropriately for a normal length vehicle like this:

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Most people will try to fit somewhat in the lines, which would help to reduce the likelihood that one or two poorly spaced cars eliminate spots.

Anyone have any thoughts or criticisms of the idea?”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Using Your Child to Reserve a Parking Space? Seriously. How do people usually handle this situation?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I am aware that residents of busy neighborhoods such as Adams Morgan often “reserve” parking spaces using trash cans or lawn chairs. In those situations I tend to just play along and keep driving. However, today I encountered a situation that took this ploy too far: instead of using a chair, someone used a 10-year-old child.

I was searching for parking in Adams Morgan this afternoon, but spaces were scarce due to the street festival. Finally, I saw an empty space on a crowded side road and happily pulled up next to it. I then saw two (approximately) ten-year-old kids standing in the street near the curb. One moved immediately, but the other did not. When I asked him to move, he said he was saving the space and even laid down in the street. He implied I had run him over and said he had a broken leg! Amused but resolved, I informed him the several people walking nearby could see that I hadn’t hit him, and that he could not save spaces on a public street. After several minutes he eventually moved. There was no cursing and no yelling involved. When I returned to my car 45 minutes later, this note was on my car, presumably from the child’s parent.

I don’t pride myself on picking fights with children (I don’t consider this a fight), but there was no adult in sight and it seemed extreme for a 10-year-old to stand in the street to reserve a parking space (I’m assuming for the parent). Did I go too far in telling this boy to move? How do people usually handle this situation?”

Parking ticket despite displaying a visitor pass?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JoshBassett|PHOTOGRAPHY

“Dear PoPville,

I just got a ticket and I can’t understand why, or what to do about it.

My parents live just outside DC, and I occasionally borrow their car for a few days at a time and leave it parked on my street. This morning I had a $100 ticket for “failing to secure DC tags” despite a valid Visitor Parking Pass clearly visible on the dashboard. The pass doesn’t expire until Sept. 30.

The ticket also claims that they issued a warning on July 29th, though I never saw it. I don’t know if they put it on the car (in which case it must have blown away) or mailed it (in which case it must have gotten lost in the mail).

In any case, does that really mean that a car with Maryland plates can’t visit the District twice, 6 weeks apart? Since I had the parking pass I don’t know what else I could have possibly done. Does this mean my parents risk a ticket every time they drive and park at my house?

It wouldn’t be too inconvenient for me to visit the courthouse and argue the ticket in person, do you think it’s worth a try?”

Side Note: Another reader sends yesterday:

“I can’t say I’m in the habit of reading government reports, but this one caught my attention—DC’s office of the inspector general started looking into the red light cameras, speed cameras, and parking tickets issued by various agencies. One senior official in DC is quoted as saying that the traffic ticket system means that you are “guilty until proven innocent…and this system has worked incredibly well for us [DC? elected officials?].” Anyway, I thought it may be of interest to POPville readers, as many of us get tickets we think we don’t deserve, but pay anyway…and, as it turns out, we might be right.”

Short/Medium Term Parking Options for an Out of State Car?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user mlckeeperkeeper

“Dear PoPville,

My mom has recently loaned me her out of state car (she’s on bed rest from a surgery) and I will have it in my possession in DC until March 2015. I’ve had it for 2 weeks and I just received my out of state registration warning (I was expecting it). It says that I have 15 days to apply for a ROSA exemption, a recurring visitor pass, or just register the vehicle in DC outright. I don’t qualify for ROSA or a recurring visitor pass (I’ve lived in DC for 8 years and have a DC license) and I don’t want to register the vehicle in DC as it’s going back to North Carolina in just 6 months.

Any suggestions from PoPville? I’ve looked in to off street parking, and that might be my best option, but rentals on Craigslist seem prohibitively expensive. Any and all suggestions welcome and appreciated!”

Today in ‘You’re Doing it Wrong’ Notes

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Someone left these all over the cars in Capitol Hill. I guess they’re not familiar with the concept of cars coming and going throughout the day, causing irregular gaps which may not have been there when the person pulled in.”

You can now Comment on DDOT’s Proposed Rules to Revamp the Visitor Parking Pass Program

By Prince Of Petworth

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From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the publication of proposed rules that will modify the annual Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) program, and clarify the process for eligible households to receive, and use a 2015 visitor parking pass. The rules are open for a 30-day comment period, and DDOT welcomes comments on the proposed regulations.

The VPP program allows guests of District residents to park for more than two hours on residential blocks. The current 2014 passes, which would have expired on September 30, 2014, have been extended, and are valid until the end of the year. Starting January 1, 2015, DDOT proposes that the annual VPP be effective for a calendar year.

These proposed rules will require eligible households (within Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2F) to register either online at http://vpp.ddot.dc.gov, or by phone at (202) 671-2700 to receive an annual VPP. The revision to the program will help DDOT better manage the demands, and evaluate program needs going forward. Depending on the outcome of the comment period, DDOT anticipates opening up registration in late October 2014.

Additionally, the proposed rules clarify the privileges and restrictions of a VPP, that it provides temporary residential permit parking privileges to a vehicle, as long as that vehicle displays a valid pass on the driver’s side of the vehicle’s dashboard, and is used only within the ANC boundaries indicated on the pass.

“We appreciate that this has been a popular program in areas that use the passes,” said DDOT Acting Director Matthew Brown. “These regulations will enable us to streamline the program, expand the eligible recipients and improve the management of the program. We encourage the public to weigh in on the rules.”

To view or to comment on the proposed rules, please visit the following website: http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/NoticeHome.aspx?noticeid=5065357

Written comments may be sent to  Samuel D. Zimbabwe, Associate Director, District Department of Transportation, 55 M Street, S.E., 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20003. However, comments sent to DDOT’s Public Space Policy Office, are encouraged.”

Dear PoPville – How to Remedy a Sewage Smelling Parking Garage?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

“Dear PoPville,

We park in a public garage in Penn Quarter that used to be fine but once the commercial building was fully occupied we noticed a regular (several times a month) overwhelming and disgusting sewage smell. Complaints to the building owner have not resulted in any action. Is there a city agency that looks into these things?”

“DGS has decided to proceed with the destruction of the north side of the garden”

By Prince Of Petworth

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North Twin Oaks Plot at 14th and Taylor St, NW

From an email:

“As many of you know, the north side of Twin Oaks Community Garden—which is located on either side of Taylor St NW at 14th St–has been slated for demolition to make way for a parking lot as part of the renovation of the neighboring Powell Elementary School.

We are writing to inform you that, after receiving suggestions on alternative parking options from Twin Oaks as well as comments from the community, the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS) has decided to proceed with the destruction of the north side of the garden. There will be a community meeting this Tuesday to announce the decision as well as plans to build a new garden in Upshur park, and we invite all community members to attend to weigh in.

Where: Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave NW
When: Tuesday, August 5th, 6:30pm

Thank you for your support,
Twin Oaks Community Garden”

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