PUBLIC SPACE OASIS OF CAPITOL HILL:
Transforming a “public” front yard into a shining jewel

When Ramesh and April Ponnuru purchased their home in September of 2006, the couple knew that their front yard was entirely public space. In fact the entire front bay of the home sits on public space. They were excited to learn from an associate that they could do whatever they wanted in that space even though it wasn't technically theirs. This was great news, since their last home was a condo convert in Dupont Circle and the gardens, though beautiful were shared.

Once in their new home the couple quickly started to make plans for their new spaces. They wanted a home that flowed from garden to home and back again. They knew a new patio had to be added since the one they inherited was in very bad shape. The existing walk, though relatively new, was poured cement and lacked the charm that they wanted for the front of their house. The plants were basically non-existent and many of the shrubs and bushes were dead, diseased, or dying.  It was clear that the entire landscape would have to be redone.

Sounds like a very straightforward process right? Well, remember that well-meaning, associate, the one that told them they could do what they wanted with the public space they were entrusted with. Well, that could not have been further from the truth. In fact, the space from your front door to the sidewalk was officially given to homeowners by Congress in 1899 to use and maintain but not own. There are a set of do's and don'ts associated with your stewardship of this space. (See sidebar for what is allowable with and without permits). 

The first sign of trouble
Once the formal landscape design was drawn up and agreed upon the Ponnuru's consulted a landscape firm to do the installation of their front gardens. They planned the removal of the walk and patio, the plants and outdoor furnishings. They set a start date and paid their deposit. Two days before the project was set to begin, they got a call from their landscaper informing them that he learned from the Department of Public works that there was a stop work order that was placed on their property in June of 2003. In fact, the person who sold them their home was not the person who owned the home in 2003 so this order went back two homeowners and was issued because the homeowner had not pulled a permit for the walk the Ponnuru's now wanted to remove. Now no work could be done because no permits would be issued until the stop work was removed. Quite a problem since the Ponnuru's had no way to contact the previous owner. With jackhammers were waiting in the wings to begin the demolition, the situation seemed to be losing ground fast. Would they be able to continue their plan for making the space an oasis on Capitol Hill?

A public space permit is issued
Thanks to their persistent landscaper all was not lost. In fact the project was able to start, legally, and on time. The stop work was removed once the office that handles stop work orders learned that a portion of the job would remove the reason for the stop work order. The landscape plans were accepted once some changes were made to satisfy the Historic Preservation Review Board requests (the patio had to be reduced in size to be more historically accurate). The city sent an inspector out within 24 hours; an inspection must take place before the work begins. Once the inspector saw the site, a public space permit was issued. Then and only then could the work begin.

A Capitol Hill jewel comes into being
From the start of the project the Ponnuru's had a definite idea of what they wanted for their garden. Mrs. Ponnuru wanted to have the ability to sit out front and enjoy the pulse of their bustling neighborhood. She wanted to enjoy dinners in an outdoor sanctuary. The couple was drawn to Capitol Hill largely because of the sense of community that they felt was lacking in their previous neighborhood. Now they can enjoy the neighbors and neighborhood while sitting in their front yard.

The gardens now flow from the walk and patio. Their neighbor has a very large tree and because of the tree's canopy their garden is very shaded. The landscaper was able to install shade-loving plants to bring their dream of a jeweled oasis to fruition. They have an open planting of Blue Holly in the front along the fence; nandina and hosta are planted behind the holly and there is a bold border of flowering annuals and lush perennials like foxglove and coral bells. A lush planting of wintergreen boxwood, camellia, Chindo viburnum, and liriope softens the patio. There is a Coral Bark maple in the top corner of the garden that will provide year round interest with its chartreuse leaves, and brilliant coral-colored bark. A copper and wood fountain ads interest and tranquility to the space. And large planters are filled with accent plants, holly and Japanese maples.

A summer outdoors
The Ponnuru's can now be spotted in their new room, an outdoor retreat located inside one of the grandest gifts the city has ever given to it's Capitol Hill homeowners, the gift of caring for the public space adjoining their property.

In fact, this public space is what makes the streets and avenues of Capitol Hill some of the grandest of any city in the United States. So take care of the spaces that you have been entrusted with, contact the Department of Public Works before starting any major projects, and pull your permits for those jobs that require them.

What's Permitted

The list that follows is a broad overview taken from the public space pamphlet distributed by the Capitol Hill restoration Society which can be reached at 202-543-0425 or at www.chrs.org for more detailed information.

Allowed in public space, no permit needed:

• Front Yards: Flowers, groundcovers, bushes, and trees garden urns, ornaments, garden furniture.
• Tree Boxes: Flowers and ground cover up to 18" high edging between 4" and 12", curb side open mulch

Allowed, with a permit:

• Short, open fencing, hedges along fence line, approved trees in tree boxes, new walkway, retaining walls, fountains, pools, stairs, porches, sculpture.

Not allowed:

• In general: Construction without a permit, garbage cans, furniture, appliances, trash, glass, debris, hedges taller than 3 feet, overgrown plants and weeds, vegetables, wild animals, advertisements, fencing higher than 42", vehicles,
• Tree Boxes: Gravel as mulch, vegetables, signs on trees, raising the grade around a tree.