Dispute regarding trash cans for alley pick-up in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don’t understand why you can’t leave the tea cans in the alley on trash day. That’s what most people do around me. Obv you can’t leave them there during the week.

Some people have space because they have a parking pad or an in fenced yard (like us) but some people do not and just leahe their cans outside their fence. Yes it blocks the alley a bit but that’s city life on trash days.

True. If that's your official "trash collection point" per DPW, then it's an apppropriate use of public space. But OP's issue is that the alley (collectively) had come to a solution that let them maximize the use of the commons for everyone. Now the new neighbors want to disrupt that for their selfish reasons.

It sounds like theiy’re maximizing the use of space for everyone but the new neighbor.

No, if OP has to put their trash cans in the alley, then nobody (including new neighbor) can drive through it on trash days.

Wouldn’t OP have room on her property if she didn’t have it fenced all the way to the line in order to maximize her own use of space? Move the fence in three feet and then there’s plenty of room for trash cans.

We have no idea what OP's property line is like. Moving a fence likely impacts the neighboring lot as well, and could be quite pricey. Plus the fence could belong to the adjoining lot, another can of worms. Yes, of course, as a matter of pure property rights (unless there's an easement) OP could be told that there's no other solution. But the point is, when you live in very close quarters and have to share -- I mean your houses literally abut other houses! -- having an attitude like that is not going to get you very far. Property rights purists should probably stay in Montana.

Even if the rear section connects to side runs owned by the neighbors, OP can remove the rear section on her property or could cut a gate in it that she could open on trash day and leave the cans sitting just inside of. She has options, she just doesn’t want to exercise them because it’s more convenient to keep using her neighbor’s property,

No, that doesn't solve the problem, because the trash cans still have to go into the alley where they will block drivers. DPW doesn't generally go onto private property like that to get your cans.

If you have an open gate and the trash cans are sitting in the opening on trash day, the trash collectors will take it and don’t have to enter private property to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to live in a rowhouse and the trash was handled exactly the way some PPs have suggested - stored within our yard (behind our fence) for the week and then put out on trash day and brought in that evening. There was a gate cut into the fence so it actually just looked like fence all around but there was actually a gate that could be opened from the inside.

Once again ... the issue with this solution is that the trash cans then have to go in the alley, blocking cars.

I wonder if the strip of land the neighbor is claiming is even actually on their lot, or if it's public space?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don’t understand why you can’t leave the tea cans in the alley on trash day. That’s what most people do around me. Obv you can’t leave them there during the week.

Some people have space because they have a parking pad or an in fenced yard (like us) but some people do not and just leahe their cans outside their fence. Yes it blocks the alley a bit but that’s city life on trash days.

True. If that's your official "trash collection point" per DPW, then it's an apppropriate use of public space. But OP's issue is that the alley (collectively) had come to a solution that let them maximize the use of the commons for everyone. Now the new neighbors want to disrupt that for their selfish reasons.

It sounds like theiy’re maximizing the use of space for everyone but the new neighbor.

No, if OP has to put their trash cans in the alley, then nobody (including new neighbor) can drive through it on trash days.

Wouldn’t OP have room on her property if she didn’t have it fenced all the way to the line in order to maximize her own use of space? Move the fence in three feet and then there’s plenty of room for trash cans.

We have no idea what OP's property line is like. Moving a fence likely impacts the neighboring lot as well, and could be quite pricey. Plus the fence could belong to the adjoining lot, another can of worms. Yes, of course, as a matter of pure property rights (unless there's an easement) OP could be told that there's no other solution. But the point is, when you live in very close quarters and have to share -- I mean your houses literally abut other houses! -- having an attitude like that is not going to get you very far. Property rights purists should probably stay in Montana.

Even if the rear section connects to side runs owned by the neighbors, OP can remove the rear section on her property or could cut a gate in it that she could open on trash day and leave the cans sitting just inside of. She has options, she just doesn’t want to exercise them because it’s more convenient to keep using her neighbor’s property,

No, that doesn't solve the problem, because the trash cans still have to go into the alley where they will block drivers. DPW doesn't generally go onto private property like that to get your cans.

If you have an open gate and the trash cans are sitting in the opening on trash day, the trash collectors will take it and don’t have to enter private property to do it.

I'm not sure they will, plus that means you leave the gate to your property open all day while you aren't home?? Most of the time the trash isn't collected by the time I have to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don’t understand why you can’t leave the tea cans in the alley on trash day. That’s what most people do around me. Obv you can’t leave them there during the week.

Some people have space because they have a parking pad or an in fenced yard (like us) but some people do not and just leahe their cans outside their fence. Yes it blocks the alley a bit but that’s city life on trash days.

True. If that's your official "trash collection point" per DPW, then it's an apppropriate use of public space. But OP's issue is that the alley (collectively) had come to a solution that let them maximize the use of the commons for everyone. Now the new neighbors want to disrupt that for their selfish reasons.

It sounds like theiy’re maximizing the use of space for everyone but the new neighbor.

No, if OP has to put their trash cans in the alley, then nobody (including new neighbor) can drive through it on trash days.

Anyone can hop a fence..
Wouldn’t OP have room on her property if she didn’t have it fenced all the way to the line in order to maximize her own use of space? Move the fence in three feet and then there’s plenty of room for trash cans.

We have no idea what OP's property line is like. Moving a fence likely impacts the neighboring lot as well, and could be quite pricey. Plus the fence could belong to the adjoining lot, another can of worms. Yes, of course, as a matter of pure property rights (unless there's an easement) OP could be told that there's no other solution. But the point is, when you live in very close quarters and have to share -- I mean your houses literally abut other houses! -- having an attitude like that is not going to get you very far. Property rights purists should probably stay in Montana.

Even if the rear section connects to side runs owned by the neighbors, OP can remove the rear section on her property or could cut a gate in it that she could open on trash day and leave the cans sitting just inside of. She has options, she just doesn’t want to exercise them because it’s more convenient to keep using her neighbor’s property,

No, that doesn't solve the problem, because the trash cans still have to go into the alley where they will block drivers. DPW doesn't generally go onto private property like that to get your cans.

If you have an open gate and the trash cans are sitting in the opening on trash day, the trash collectors will take it and don’t have to enter private property to do it.

I'm not sure they will, plus that means you leave the gate to your property open all day while you aren't home?? Most of the time the trash isn't collected by the time I have to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don’t understand why you can’t leave the tea cans in the alley on trash day. That’s what most people do around me. Obv you can’t leave them there during the week.

Some people have space because they have a parking pad or an in fenced yard (like us) but some people do not and just leahe their cans outside their fence. Yes it blocks the alley a bit but that’s city life on trash days.

True. If that's your official "trash collection point" per DPW, then it's an apppropriate use of public space. But OP's issue is that the alley (collectively) had come to a solution that let them maximize the use of the commons for everyone. Now the new neighbors want to disrupt that for their selfish reasons.

It sounds like theiy’re maximizing the use of space for everyone but the new neighbor.

No, if OP has to put their trash cans in the alley, then nobody (including new neighbor) can drive through it on trash days.

Wouldn’t OP have room on her property if she didn’t have it fenced all the way to the line in order to maximize her own use of space? Move the fence in three feet and then there’s plenty of room for trash cans.

We have no idea what OP's property line is like. Moving a fence likely impacts the neighboring lot as well, and could be quite pricey. Plus the fence could belong to the adjoining lot, another can of worms. Yes, of course, as a matter of pure property rights (unless there's an easement) OP could be told that there's no other solution. But the point is, when you live in very close quarters and have to share -- I mean your houses literally abut other houses! -- having an attitude like that is not going to get you very far. Property rights purists should probably stay in Montana.

Even if the rear section connects to side runs owned by the neighbors, OP can remove the rear section on her property or could cut a gate in it that she could open on trash day and leave the cans sitting just inside of. She has options, she just doesn’t want to exercise them because it’s more convenient to keep using her neighbor’s property,

No, that doesn't solve the problem, because the trash cans still have to go into the alley where they will block drivers. DPW doesn't generally go onto private property like that to get your cans.

If you have an open gate and the trash cans are sitting in the opening on trash day, the trash collectors will take it and don’t have to enter private property to do it.

I'm not sure they will, plus that means you leave the gate to your property open all day while you aren't home?? Most of the time the trash isn't collected by the time I have to leave.

Then you can apply to move the fence further inside your property line. As long as everything you're doing is within your own private property, the permit process is not an onerous as people have claimed here.

[Anonymous]

On the gate issue, if OP is already able to get her cans from her yard into the alley to her neighbor's property, doesn't that suggest OP already has a gate on the alley that could be opened to allow access to the cans? I doubt OP is hauling her cans all the way around the block and back every week.

[Anonymous]

Can't you get ticketed for having cans out in the alley on non-pickup days? We have a similar problem where the developer built our driveway just long enough for two cars, but no space for cans. So ours stay out all week. Luckily our neighbors on both sides don't mind our cans going in their driveway. (Of course we also aren't supposed to have city pick up, but where the private hauler cans would go is a mystery. We are just renters, but don't want to risk losing our parking so we don't say anything.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the gate issue, if OP is already able to get her cans from her yard into the alley to her neighbor's property, doesn't that suggest OP already has a gate on the alley that could be opened to allow access to the cans? I doubt OP is hauling her cans all the way around the block and back every week.

Are we even sure that OP is hauling the cans at all? Seems like maybe s/he could even expect them to stay all week there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the gate issue, if OP is already able to get her cans from her yard into the alley to her neighbor's property, doesn't that suggest OP already has a gate on the alley that could be opened to allow access to the cans? I doubt OP is hauling her cans all the way around the block and back every week.

Are we even sure that OP is hauling the cans at all? Seems like maybe s/he could even expect them to stay all week there?

But she still has to get the trash from her house into the cans.

[Anonymous]

If you live in DC on trash pick up the cans always block the alley. It’s part of life in the big city.

[Anonymous]

Me think that OP wants to leave the cans on the neightbor’a alley strip 24/7. That is why the neighbor is objecting. Like PPs have said alley trash pickup is common place. You do have to dodge cans. I typically have to get in and out of my car (or order a kid to move them then pick up said kid — always a fight over that) at least once in our alley in trash day.

OP is leaving the cans out. No one likes that. Put them in your back yard like the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me think that OP wants to leave the cans on the neightbor’a alley strip 24/7. That is why the neighbor is objecting. Like PPs have said alley trash pickup is common place. You do have to dodge cans. I typically have to get in and out of my car (or order a kid to move them then pick up said kid — always a fight over that) at least once in our alley in trash day.

OP is leaving the cans out. No one likes that. Put them in your back yard like the rest of us.

This. We used to live in a DC rowhouse. Plus you can remove a fence or part of a fence no problem. OP, either space is at a premium or it isn't. But it can't be a premium if it's your space but not a premium if it's a neighbor's. Find a way to store your trash cans on your own property.

[Anonymous]

OP—Any time we get a huge snowstorm, be sure to shovel all the snow in the alley on to that 5 x 8 strip of grass and up against his gate and on top of his trash cans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP—Any time we get a huge snowstorm, be sure to shovel all the snow in the alley on to that 5 x 8 strip of grass and up against his gate and on top of his trash cans.

You seriously think someone as selfish and entitled as OP is out there shoveling snow??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP—Any time we get a huge snowstorm, be sure to shovel all the snow in the alley on to that 5 x 8 strip of grass and up against his gate and on top of his trash cans.

You seriously think someone as selfish and entitled as OP is out there shoveling snow??

You seriously underestimate the power of payback to a d*ck neighbor.