The Ayes Have It As All Ten ANC6B Commissioners Vote for Chipotle
ANC Planning and Zoning Committee Clears Way for Chipotle Mexican Grill on Barracks Row – Vote by Full ANC Scheduled for July 12
by Larry Janezich
Tuesday night, ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Francis Campbell, voted 10 – 0 for a special exception to the ban on fast food restaurants on Barracks Row for Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle will open an outlet at 413 8th Street, SE, in the space currently occupied by Dollar + Continental. The building’s owner, StreetSense Development, has given Chipotle a 20 year lease on the building. The development company’s representative announced that China Wall, which occupies adjoining space, also part of the StreetSense property, is not expected to stay. As part of the deal, StreetSense pledged – should they seek to place a fast food restaurant in the China Wall space – to apply for a separate special exception for that location rather that utilize the fast food license that transferred with the property.
The Committee vote came on the motion to approve the special exception, but with a request that the Bureau of Zoning Adjustment limit the exception specifically to Chipotle. This restriction is apparently unprecedented, but not prohibited by the regulations. The ANC made clear that their support was not contingent on the proposed BZA limitation. .
In ANC6B, all commissioners are members of the standing committees, taskforces, and the executive committee. Tonight, all ten commissioners were present for a show of hands in support of Chipotle. The vote forwards the issue to the full ANC meeting for a vote on July 12. It is likely that the vote by the full commission will be the same as tonight’s vote.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
In theory I don’t have a problem.
I just wish there were other reasons to go to 8th street. Eating out is just too expensive to do it very often and with mostly food establishments on 8th, I just don’t have other reasons to go.
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@ET
Careful there. . . you’re not suggesting the radical notion that people actually prepare their own meals?
And what else would go there? Retail all the time gets expensive too 🙂
In general, too much of a good thing isn’t good. However, most of the spaces available aren’t big enough for most retail options as the rent has now gone higher than a very tiny non-chain store can afford.
There is a reason why Barracks Row and the rest of Capitol Hill has become such a successful market throughout the DC area…and it isn’t because of its retail. It is because of its food options. People say, “Barraks Row is “over fooded””. Why then does each restaurant do so well? And why then do the existing restaurants do even better when new ones open up? The fact is…food is what gets most people (I said most people…not all) excited. Like it or not…it is what drives consumers; more so today then ever before. You don’t have to take my word for it…do your own research. All the facts are out there. Woodly Park, Cleveland Park, China Town, Bethedsa, and Capitol Hill are just a few examples of where food is by far the driving force behind an area’s succss. Sorry…it is just the way it is.
If BR is such a food destination then why the rampant uniformity and mediocrity? I attribute it more to questionable taste, disposable income, and a general indifference to better diet.
There are plenty of other yuppy trends aside from retail that could benefit from expansion on the hill. More dog parks, childrens park space with water features, yoga studios (surprising dearth considering how regularly packed the existing ones are), gallery/arts space, community gardens, etc come to mind.
I’m not saying I dig yuppy trends, but there is a lot more to life than food and drink.
I’d also add that PQ has a lot going for it unrelated to food (as does the larger Cap Hill). Museums, events, the Mall . . .
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