Tommy Blog Council Gives Initial Approval To Ward 6 Single Sales Ban | Council Gives Initial Approval To Ward 6 Single Sales Ban |
|
|
|
| Written by Charles Allen | |
| Wednesday, 16 July 2008 | |
|
Yesterday, Council took action on the proposed single sales ban for Ward 6. As you may recall, Councilmember Wells introduced a ban on the sale of single containers of alcohol in early June. At a recent public hearing, there was overwhelming support from Ward 6 residents to approve this ban. In addition, several residents and ANC Commissioners requested that the ban be extended to include single containers of liquor or spirits of a half-pint or smaller. ANC 6A has already added similar language to the limited H Street, NE moratorium on single sales. Council agreed it was better to have a consistent policy, and MPD shared this opinion, so it was added. There was also discussion about creating flexibility and possible exemptions to the singles ban where a licensee’s sale of single containers does not create a negative impact on the neighborhood. Several stores were cited, such as grocery stores and specific establishments that sell single containers of beer, but don’t contribute to public drunkenness, urination, loitering or other negative activities. Some ANCs asked for changes to the proposed exemption and criteria for granting them. There was also discussion that tying an exemption to a licensee’s voluntary agreement would create some confusion and problems. Council agreed to change the way that exemptions could be applied for, but added several criteria, such as the great weight of the ANC, the requirement that the licensee has not had an infraction for sales to minors or other violations in 12 months, and clear and convincing evidence that the licensee is not creating a negative impact on the neighborhood. The legislation passed Council unanimously on its first vote, and is scheduled for its second and final vote in mid-September, to take effect later this fall.
Readers have left 4 comments. (1) Untitled 2008-07-16 17:14:28 Question: was there any consideration to or discussion of other criteria such as (1) neighborhood petitions (one way or the other); (2) sales of food of equal or greater value than the liquor/beer (as in some VAs in ANC6B); (3) time of day for single sales (mentioned by Tommy at the 7/11/08 hearing). I will discuss this in the next ABC Committee (ANC6D) and see if committee members have reactions/other suggestions. Also, what criteria have Peter Feather and staff proposed? (2) Untitled 2008-07-16 17:26:14 Answers to your questions below: (1) As one part of the criteria in considering an exemption, the ABC Board must give the Advisory Neighborhood Commission's opinion great weight; (2) Full service grocery stores will be exempt, rather than trying to determine a percentage of food sales (which is largely what is intended by the VA's you reference in ANC 6B); (3) no, there was consensus among Councilmembers and in testimony this was not a preferred way to go. Written by Charles Allen (Super Administrator) (3) Untitled 2008-07-16 17:30:40 I would like to commend the council and Councilmember Wells on this action. I really feel that the inclusion of half-pints and smaller will help to keep the ban from promoting transference of the problem to another form of singles. Bravo! Written by Dan Blair () (4) Untitled 2008-07-17 14:05:17 My Q1 had to do with possible petitions by residents around or near the licensee, regardless of which way the ANC votes. My Q2 had to do with small (corner?) stores, which might have some food, where there is/has been/might be an effort to require customers to purchase a sandwich to go with a (single sales)beer. In this case, the store would NOT be a full-service grocery. thanks. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|