West Dupont Liquor License Moratorium: ANC Recommends 120 Day Extention, Seeks Public Comment

At its regular monthly meeting on February 11, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2B/Dupont Circle voted unanimously to recommend that the prohibition on new liquor licenses in the West Dupont Moratorium Zone be extended for 120 days. This will allow the ANC to provide input on the extention of the zone to DC's liquor-licensing authorities.

On the same day, ANC2B announced on its web site that it would be holding two public meetings later this month to collect community input on continuing the liquor licence moratorium in the zone, which extends roughly 600 feet from the corner of 21st and P Streets NW (see map).

As of now, the moratorium zone is set to expire on May 17. If the extension is not granted, ANC2B ill not be able to hold hearings and submit a recommendation to DC's Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) in time for its opinion to make a difference.

Commissioner Daniel Warwick (district 02)  announced there would be two public hearings about the liquor license moratorium. They will take place on Saturday, February 21st, from 2 - 4pm, and on Wednesday, February 25, from 7 - 9pm, at the Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P Street). 

Warwick also said a page had been set up on the ANC's website had been set up to solicit community input. The page includes a link to an online questionnaire about the liquor license moratorium.

The West Dupont Moratorium Zone is in Warwick's ANC district. ANC2B appointed him chair of a working group on the moratorium at its January meeting -- see SALM blog post of January 15.

The liquor-licence moratorium does NOT forbid liquor licenses in the area, but it does limit the number and category of licenses -- see a description of the moratorium zone on ABRA's website here.