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ANC6b Retail Mix Taskforce Schedules Hearing on Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

The January 10 hearing will focus on Barracks Row restaurateurs and retailers – this is the second in a series of three hearings bearing on the issue of the street’s retail mix.

There will be two panels for the hearing.  The first panel will be comprised of restaurateurs: those invited to participate include Andreas Xenochristos, Cava; Xavier Cevera, Molly Malone’s, Lola’s, Chesapeake Room; Jorge Zamorano, Banana Cafe, Starfish; Drew Kim, Matchbox, Ted’s Bulletin.

Retailers will comprise the second panel.  Those invited include Kathleen Clayton, Labyrinth Games (on Pennsylvania Avenue); Manuel Cortez, Groovy DC; Erin Mara, Homebody, Dennis Bourgault, Chateau Animaux (which will remain on 8^th Street in a new location); and Marie Connolly, Stitch DC.

A third hearing scheduled for January 17 will feature landlords, realtors, and representatives of business groups.  The invitation list for this hearing is not yet complete.

Both meetings will be held at Brent Elementary School, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

The Taskforce’s first hearing was held December 6, 2010, when the members and residents heard from four commissioners representing three neighborhoods with moratoria or restaurant caps: Glover Park, DuPont Circle, and Adams Morgan.

Following that first hearing the Taskforce met and decided to narrow its focus to two concerns.  First, it will address parking, noise, and trash concerns of the Row’s immediate residential neighbors.  Second, resident members of the group were tasked with proposing operating guidelines for bars and restaurants based on a list of resident complaints. The Taskforce will consider recommending these guidelines to the ANC for incorporation into voluntary operating agreements for outlets with liquor licenses.

Draft guidelines have now been proposed.  In addition to those drafted by resident Taskforce members Claudia Holwill and John McGaw, Commissioner Ivan Frishberg has submitted guidelines for consideration by the group.

Taskforce Chair Norm Metzger has scheduled a January 13 meeting of the Taskforce – following the restaurateurs/retailers hearing – to discuss the contents of the report and the guidelines.  The report is due by February 8.

Any substantive work regarding how to attract a better retail mix for all of the commercial corridors in ANC6b, including defining systemic problems, providing tax incentives, ANC solicitation, subsidy of retail operations, and involvement of Ward Six Councilmember Tommy Wells, appears to depend on reconstitution of the Taskforce after its mandate expires in February.

Divided ANC6b Votes for De Facto Barracks Row Moratorium

by Larry Janezich

Last night, a divided ANC voted to protest a new liquor license application for Xavier Cervera’s proposed 8^th Street Latin tapas restaurant, Pacificos.  Cervera, who proposes a $1.5 million renovation of Capital Video’s, offered to scale back hours of operation and occupancy, to address noise concerns with barriers and sound proofing, and to lead a Barrack’s Row effort to promote patron parking in the lot under the freeway.

The Commission voted 5-4-1 to protest the license on the basis of peace, order, quiet, parking and over concentration.

Commissioners voting to protest:  Dave Garrison, Carol Green. Ken Jarboe, Kirsten Oldenburg, Mary Wright

Commissioners voting not to protest:  Francis Campbell, Neil Glick, Will Hall, Mike Patterson

Commissioners abstaining:  Norm Metzger

At least two commissioners – Garrison and Metzger – signaled they might be willing to live with over concentration if ways could be found to deal with peace, order, quiet and parking issues.

To that end, outgoing ANC Chair Garrison said the commission was looking for “a third way” to deal with licenses, not just to protest or support.  He said he was anxious to see what the Retail Mix Task Force recommended, alluding to the Task Force’s consideration of “guidelines” for the new ABC establishments which could be written into voluntary agreements governing their operation.  The Task Force is scheduled to issue an interim report prior to the ANC’s February 2011 meeting (see previous post)..

Incoming ANC6b 02 commissioner Ivan Frishbery stated during Public Speakout that he thought creating a de facto moratorium outside the regular process was not a good idea and did not have wide support within the community.  He said he would bring suggestions to the ANC in January to initiate addressing neighbor’s issues.  He said that this was not to undercut the work of the Retail Mix Task Force, but an effort to allow the Commission to begin work as soon as possible on ways to deal with these concerns.

In other action, the ANC voted 7-3 to support Bavarian Beer Garden’s application for a tavern license at 8^th and L Streets, contingent upon reaching a voluntary agreement on hours of operation and entertainment.

Commissioners voting to support:  Francis Campbell, Dave Garrison, Carol Green, Will Hill, Ken Jarboe, Kirsten Oldenburg, Mary Wright

Commissioners voting to protest:  Neil Glick, Norm Metzger, Mike Patterson

ANC6b Retail Mix Group Narrows Focus for Balance of Its Term

by Larry Janezich

The Retail Mix Taskforce met Monday night to decide on what it can accomplish in the last six weeks of its current existence.  Despite its interim goal of achieving a balanced retail mix on Barrack’s Row, the Taskforce will narrow its focus to two concerns.

First, it will address parking, noise, and trash concerns of the Row’s immediate residential neighbors.  Resident members of the Taskforce will propose operating guidelines for bars and restaurants based on a list of resident complaints. The Taskforce will consider recommending these guidelines to the ANC for incorporation into voluntary operating agreements for outlets with liquor licenses.  This step may be in anticipation of the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) overturning ANC6b’s protest of three new liquor license applications on the 500 block of 8^th Street, as well as recognition that these quality of life concerns will continue as issues whether the protests stand or not.

In addition, resident members of the Taskforce have been charged with organizing another information-gathering forum regarding the impact of imposing moratoria or business restrictive overlays on the area and how that relates to the retail mix.  This forum is likely to convene in January.  Possible participants include restaurateurs, retail merchants, and landlords.

Any substantive work regarding how to attract a better retail mix for all of the commercial corridors in ANC6b, including defining systemic problems, providing tax incentives, ANC solicitation, subsidy of retail operations, and involvement of Ward Six Councilmember Tommy Wells, appears to depend on reconstitution of the Taskforce once the new ANC6b is seated.

The Taskforce recognizes that attracting a better retail mix in light of high rents, low foot traffic, and considerable popular support for more nearby restaurant choices might prove difficult.  If that is the case, the ANC will be dealing with the problem of trying to manage the ensuing problems rather than managing the retail mix.

Another meeting of the Taskforce will be scheduled for late January.  The group will issue its Interim Report prior to the ANC’s February meeting.