Uploaded to flickr by Geek2Nurse.
At a recent dinner party, there was a lively conversation about the new multi-space parking meters that don’t actually seem to work a lot of the time. This, of course, devolved into complaints about the $20 in quarters you have to carry around in order to park for any length of time (7 minutes, really??). We were all bonding over mutual love of the artichoke appetizer and our mutual disdain for parking issues. Then I chimed in with, “well, at least the city has extended 2 hour parking to 9 or midnight in some places to keep the Virginians and Marylanders from taking up all our spaces.” Oops – that’s when I learned one of the other guests lived in Shirlington (the second most wanna-be-in-DC neighborhood in NoVa, behind Clarendon, of course). Well, I hope he at least took the metro.
If you live near a high-traffic area and are finding out-of-staters, or people from outside Zone 6, happily parking in front of your house in the evening and staying there until the clubs close (H Street, I’m looking at you) then there is something you can do.
The Residential Permit Parking (RPP) program has the flexibility to help alleviate parking pressure for residents that live near hot spots like H Street, Barracks Row, Nationals Stadium and the like. Some streets surrounding those areas have already had 2 hour parking restrictions extended to 9pm or midnight or have included weekends. There are even some areas, like around Nats Stadium, that are limited to Residents Only (ie, Zone 6 RPP) at all times.
If you live within 3 blocks of a special traffic generator – H Street, NE currently qualifies for this label – and the majority of your block agrees, you are eligible to petition for Resident Only parking. This means that one side of the street on your block will be reserved for residents at all times, while the other side will remain 2 hour. Get in touch with your ANC Commissioner to get the process started. The only other pre-requisite, aside from being near a special traffic generator, is that your block must have already been part of the RPP program for at least a year. Keep in mind that changes on one block affect abutting blocks, so when you’re out sweeping the front steps or walking the dog around the block, talk to your other neighbors on adjacent blocks about combining efforts — you’ll make more progress and have a better impact that way.
If you live elsewhere with evening parking issues caused by visitors to our delightful drinking and dining establishments, you can also contact your ANC Commissioner to discuss lengthening 2 hour parking restrictions to as late as midnight. Just keep in mind, there are specific designations, transportation plans and all kinds of other bureaucratic details that can impact the way a process like this unfolds.
The folks at DDOT want to be helpful, though. So start with your Commissioner, who will be in the know about the process, and good luck preserving your parking space while pushing Marylanders to those pesky meters.
You do realize Shirlington isn’t on the Metro, right?
Do you also realize that many of the blocks actually down by the stadium aren’t zoned yet?While I live and work in Zone 6 we can’t get a RPP without 80% of those on my block to sign a petition to get our block(s) zoned. Given that there are several large apartment buildings in that area, it makes getting the petition signed somewhat challenging. I can’t reap the actual benefits of living in Zone 6 including having a long leisurly dinner at a friend’s house or on 8th St., an afternoon at Eastern Market or parking near my office without getting a ticket.
@DB,
Who cares where shirlington is?
Those of us who have friends on the Hill but can’t visit them for longer than 2 hours.
I thought the Zones were just the Wards by a different name. In Ward 6 = in Zone 6, no?
@mappo – generally, yes, but blocks are not automatically included in the residential parking program — you have to petition to have your block included, otherwise its open to anyone for any length of time (unless it’s metered).
@LM – I feel (felt) your pain. When the Nats played at RFK, we were the first block outside the restricted parking area around the stadium so game days could be frustrating. I believe, though, that the petitioning bar isn’t quite as high as you think. Check out the Residential Permit Parking Brochure :
http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/On+Your+Street/Traffic+Management/Parking/Residential+Permit+Parking+Brochure
You only need 51% of the residents on a block to submit a petition. Given your location, it should be a no-brainer once you get the signatures. Your ANC Commissioner should be able to help you navigate the process and may also have a more efficient mechanism for reaching out to your neighbors.