ANC Votes To Expand Performance Parking – And To Protest Ambar Liquor License

ANC Votes To Expand Performance Parking – And To Protest Ambar Liquor License

by Larry Janezich

On Tuesday night, ANC6B voted 10 – 0 to ask DDOT to expand the Performance Parking Program north of Pennsylvania Avenue.  The area encompassed is South Capitol to 11^th Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue up to but not including East Capitol.

The ANC requested that one side of each block retain the existing Residential Permit Parking allowing two hour parking for non-residents of Ward 6.  The other side of the block would be designated Resident Parking Only, Monday through Saturday, from 7:00am until 8:30pm.  A special zone around Eastern Market bounded roughly by 5th Street, 8th Street (both sides), East Capitol, and Pennsylvania Avenue would extend the Resident Only restrictions to 7:00am – 8:30pm seven days a week

Randy Steer, candidate to succeed retiring commissioner Norm Metzger, asked if the seven day a week restriction could be extended to 7^th and 9^th Streets on either side of Barracks Row.  He noted the difficulty residents on those streets have finding parking on weekends.

Commissioners said that there was some urgency to press forward with the resolution immediately and assured that it provided latitude to seek those additional restrictions in the future.

In other ANC action, the commission voted to protest the liquor and entertainment license requested by Ambar, the new Balkan cuisine restaurant coming to Barracks Row.  Despite assurances from the owner that he would endeavor to complete a voluntary agreement regarding restaurant operations with the ANC prior to Tuesday night’s meeting, no discussions had occurred.  Attorney Andrew Klein, representing Ambar’s owner reiterated that he hoped a voluntary agreement could be signed in the near future, but implied that Ambar would pursue the license before the ABC whether there was a voluntary agreement or not.  The DC Alcohol Beverage Review Board will have the last word on the license, though it is charged with giving “great weight” to the recommendation of the ANCs in issuing liquor licenses.