Today the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board took the advice of the Dupont Circle ANC and lifted restrictions on opening new restaurants on and near 17th Street NW. In August, I wrote about the 20-year old East Dupont Moratorium and what it might mean to alter or eliminate it.
At our meeting in August, the ANC voted on two options: one was to recommend elimination of the moratorium altogether, the second was to continue the moratorium for three years, but only restrict new bars and nightclubs. As I did for the 14th and U Street proposed moratorium, I voted against a moratorium as a legitimate policy option for our neighborhood. I think the unintended consequences of a moratorium outweigh any potential gain for residents, while creating yet another issue that divides our community every few years.
With a 4-4 tie, the Dupont ANC voted to recommend extension of the moratorium for three years, but only for bars and nightclubs. As they did with 14th & U, the ABC board listened to the neighborhood commission and implemented a significantly “overhauled” and less restrictive moratorium. You can read the Board’s press release here.
At our meeting in August, the ANC voted on two options: one was to recommend elimination of the moratorium altogether, the second was to continue the moratorium for three years, but only restrict new bars and nightclubs. As I did for the 14th and U Street proposed moratorium, I voted against a moratorium as a legitimate policy option for our neighborhood. I think the unintended consequences of a moratorium outweigh any potential gain for residents, while creating yet another issue that divides our community every few years.
With a 4-4 tie, the Dupont ANC voted to recommend extension of the moratorium for three years, but only for bars and nightclubs. As they did with 14th & U, the ABC board listened to the neighborhood commission and implemented a significantly “overhauled” and less restrictive moratorium. You can read the Board’s press release here.
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