ANC Committee Plans Hearings On "Standards" for Liquor Stores

At its next meeting, on Thursday evening (see Calendar) our Advisory Neighborhood Commission will be discussing its alcoholic beverage licensing committee's plan to hold a series of public meetings on "community standards" for stores holding liquor licenses in the neighborhood.

Under the committee's plan, the ANC would explore whether or not to develop a set of standards that all liquor stores in the ANC would be held to. Minimum community standards "could range from limitations on single sales, to general trash collections, to enforcing no loitering on the premises," according to a document included in the agenda package for this coming Thursday's ANC meeting. "Simply stated, an enforceable community standard would provide a common framework for all the liquor stores in our community and, more importantly, create a level playing field."

The committee intends to hold three public meetings (at 7 p.m. at Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets NE, on Feb. 17, March 16 and March 30) to solicit public comments and then decide whether or not to recommend that the ANC draft a set of standards.

At the first meeting, on Feb. 17, the committee will hold a hearing to seek general input from the community. Each resident will have three to five minutes to state his or her opinion and views.

As of last month, Jessica Ward, the ANC commissioner for the area that includes the Corner Forum area north of the middle of E Street, is no longer the chairperson of the committee. Instead, the ANC chose Michael Kuiken (kuikenanc6a@hotmail.com or 369-0735), a resident of the 600 block of 10th Street NE, to chair the committee. §