Glover Park illegal and inconsiderate

[Anonymous]

Help! My neighbors have planted a huge garden on the strip between the sidewalk and the street making it impossible to park there because you cant get a baby out of the passenger side, and actually cant even open the passenger door as the garden is elevated so the door wouldnt be able to open. We live in glover park and street parking is necessary and scarce. I dont think its even legal as Im pretty sure that is public property. I want to say something to hem but I am too nervous. At first I thought they must not have hildren so they dont realize, but they do have kids!

[Anonymous]

How big is the garden, can't you park somewhere else? Call the non emergency line to the police and report.

[Anonymous]

Op here - it takes up about 20 feet along the sidewalk. Street parking is so limited and they do ticket if you park illegally so this is basically taking up 2 legal parking spots. And its not their property to do anything to which makes the situation even worse.

[Anonymous]

Check the archives--I posted something similar about our Capitol hill 'hood a few months ago. Consensus was they're allowed to do anything they want in the "tree boxes" as long as it doesn't grow higher than 18 inches.

[Anonymous]

Bet they add more property value than a rat-and-weed filled area. Garden tree boxes are considered a good thing in most parts of DC. I'd park farther from the curb.

[Anonymous]

The tree boxes with trees are a real bummer, too. It's hard to open your passenger door as fully with a tree trunk there. Can we get DC to cut the trees down?

[Anonymous]

Here's the previous thread on this topic:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/164550.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check the archives--I posted something similar about our Capitol hill 'hood a few months ago. Consensus was they're allowed to do anything they want in the "tree boxes" as long as it doesn't grow higher than 18 inches.

One difference is that Glover Park is a much more car-dependent neighborhood, so (sort of unfortunately) decisions about the common good could reasonably take driver needs into account much more than on the Hill, which ought to be looking out for pedestrian viewing pleasure much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tree boxes with trees are a real bummer, too. It's hard to open your passenger door as fully with a tree trunk there. Can we get DC to cut the trees down?

Got me for a minute there.

[Anonymous]

Those sons-of-bitches in Glover Park, looking the beautify their neighborhood! And on public property, no less - where do they get off? I tell you, the nerve of some people!

[Anonymous]

I've had the same problem in Gtown, OP. It pisses me off everytime. Snarky posters re beautifying neighborhood: of course it's nice to beautify the neighborhood, but people should think about the ramifications of a 12" fence AT the curb. OP, maybe you could ask them to respect the needs of the passenger side doors (passengers AND parents trying to get a baby out at the curb/safe side of the street) and lower the garden/remove fence on that side. Maybe they will be embarrassed and remedy the situation? I bet it's legal, just an annoying case of violating human code!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One difference is that Glover Park is a much more car-dependent neighborhood, so (sort of unfortunately) decisions about the common good could reasonably take driver needs into account much more than on the Hill, which ought to be looking out for pedestrian viewing pleasure much more.

With all due respect, I think you're off the mark here. GP is not uniquely car-dependent, and unless I'm terribly wrong, you can also access your car from the non-curb side.

Or, you know, park somewhere else.

Or walk. Or bus. Or cab.

[Anonymous]

OP. Park a little further from the curb and stop yer bitchin'. Your kid won't be a baby for ever and tree box gardens enhance the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One difference is that Glover Park is a much more car-dependent neighborhood, so (sort of unfortunately) decisions about the common good could reasonably take driver needs into account much more than on the Hill, which ought to be looking out for pedestrian viewing pleasure much more.

With all due respect, I think you're off the mark here. GP is not uniquely car-dependent, and unless I'm terribly wrong, you can also access your car from the non-curb side.

Or, you know, park somewhere else.

Or walk. Or bus. Or cab.

And much of Hill East is not close to metro. Plus I work in Tysons so a car is really the only way. In town we do take the bus, but I'm pretty sure those run in GP as well.

[Anonymous]

The regulations on beautification of tree spaces are here:

http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/RuleHome.aspx?RuleNumber=24-109

If you want to press the issue, at least make sure this neighborhood contribution violates something here.

Even then, you should probably just find a different spot or put your baby seat on the other side or in the middle.