parking

Dear PoP – Parking Woes (Continued)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

“Dear PoP,

My DC parking woes continue. (I was screwed by the City’s self-correcting parking meters.) The latest involves vehicle registration/zone stickers. See below for the story; I would be curious if this has happened to any of your other readers?

I recently moved. My new place is in a different “parking zone”, as defined by DC. As a result, I had to get a new Residential Parking Permit (“RPP”) from the DMV so that I could park on the street in front of my new place. (The RPP is the sticker all DC-registered cars have in the lower left hand corner of their windshields.) DC will only give you a new RPP if you bring in the old RPP.

This morning [Thurs.] I drove over to the DMV, parked directly in front of the DMV Service Center, removed the RPP from my windshield, and after thankfully only an hour wait, I exchanged my old RPP (and seven bucks) for a new one. I returned to my car to find a $100 parking ticket for failure to display the RPP, which apparently also serves as the vehicle’s registration tag. How unjust is that? The City requires you to turn in your old RPP to get a new one, but then tickets you for failure to display the RPP!”

Insane.

Dear PoP – Parking Pay By Phone in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Have you seen these signs in Dupont on Q St, NW across from Teaism, to pay to park? I didn’t think I had seem them on your blog. Just curious if anyone has used them?”

Hmm, we spoke about the pilot program but I think these just rolled out this week. It looks pretty easy. Has anyone given them a shot?

Can You Park in a School Lot over the Summer?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

There is a school near my apt in Logan, and the street signs states “No parking from 8-4pm on School Days.” What are the mandated schools days by the district? If the kids are out for the summer, would there be school days?”

Good question. Given Cardozo HS summer track hours I’m thinking those school days signs probably do apply during the summer as well. Anyone know for sure if school days apply during the summer?

Dear PoP – “At large Council Member” Illegally Parks for over an Hour

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This is that corner of Holmead and Park Road, NW where you have to do a U-turn to get in to the Giant parking lot (in Columbia Heights). Illegal parkers at this location really irritate me, as they destroy visibility and impede travel.

Check out the plate on this gem. “At large Council Member” It was there for at least an hour as I shopped. Note the proximity to the stop sign, the fire hydrant and the clearly marked “no parking” sign. Why in all get out couldn’t he just park in the garage?!”

So which At Large Council Member drives an H3? Secondly, in the age of camera phones and the internet how can they possibly think this will not get out.  So I am publishing these photos at 10:30am – how long until we get an apology?  And if they were not ticketed I’d like them to donate the cost of a parking ticket to a Columbia Heights charity of their choice – sound fair?

WTOP Reports: “District resident ordered to remove driveway”

By Prince Of Petworth


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Since we frequently judge curb cuts I thought this story would be of interest. WTOP’s Mark Segraves reports:

“A homeowner in Northwest D.C. is being ordered to remove his driveway that’s been in front of his house for nearly three years. The reason: the homeowner’s handicapped mother has died.”

The article discusses whether or not DDOT’s letter was rude but I think the more interesting part of the story is that the city can make you remove a driveway (as the driveway was only permitted because of the owner’s handicapped mother in the first place).

Dear PoP – How Much is Parking Worth and do I need a Lease for a spot?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user jsmjr

“Dear PoP,

What is the value of a covered parking space between Logan and Dupont Circle? I’ve heard anywhere from 25-50k. Also, when determining price per sq ft for condos, is parking factored in (i.e. 650 sq. ft. condo at 400k = 615/sq ft, but 650 sq ft condo at 400k – 40k for parking = $550/ sq ft.)?

Hope you (or the loyal readers) can help!”

and

“Now that we’ve dealt with basement rental apts. can we find out about renting a parking space? I’m about to rent out a space behind my house – should I have some kind of lease or other agreement? Can we both just sign a general “Nothing that may ever happen to your car for any reason will ever be my fault or liability” kind of thing?”

Parking Spot Savers featuring a Toilet Walker

By Prince Of Petworth

We’ve debated whether or not it’s legit to save a parking spot many times before. Chairs are obviously the mostly commonly used item so I just wanted to show a couple interesting pieces I spotted around town. My neighbor had the best comment after she came back from a walk. She said it looked everyone was having a bad garage sale.

Below is a children’s chalkboard:

And after the jump you can see the most disturbing item to save a parking spot that I encountered. (more…)

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