Comments on: ANC Roundup: Moratoriums get Moratoriumier

By: Two Big Decisions From ABC Board «

Two Big Decisions From ABC Board « — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:01:47 +0000

[...] has discussed both these issues before. The first issue appears to be a commonsense response to the current situation, namely that [...]

By: Dixie Liquors Keeps Singles Ban Exemption Despite Strongly Worded ANC Resolution «

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:02:01 +0000

[...] This is a way over the top resolution. From the tone of it, you’d think Dixie Liquors was asking permission to sell machine guns and crack. In GM’s opinion it reflects the often bullying approach that the ANC takes with regards to liquor license matters. A similar tack was taken last year with regards to a moratorium for the Georgetown Court complex. [...]

By: SG

SG — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:26:38 +0000

No offense to you Gtowners. I love your neighborhood. But it appears that the charges of blantant nimbyism are very well-deserved.

Some of those neighbors should loosen up and realize they do not rule or own the world. Geez.

By: GM

GM — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:09:25 +0000

Ken I agree that performance parking is something we should be working towards in Georgetown. In this case, though, it seems like the automobile issue was only part of it. It’s the noise question too.

I’m of two minds on it. I think reflexive anti-density opinions are harmful for the long-term vitality of our commercial districts and I think an irrationality governs all discussions of traffic and parking in Georgetown.

That said, I can understand a desire to keep this property from producing even more foot and car traffic. It is off of the main commercial strip and it is pretty built out already. Capping seats is not exactly like building surface parking lots next to metro stop or something.

What I have a discomfort with is the draconian use of a moratorium and the manner in which the ANC is seeking one. The fix was clearly in on Monday night. Elliott never had a chance to sway the ANC’s opinion. Ok, so the Commissioners’ minds were made up. Fine. But if it’s such an open and shut case, why not give Elliott more time to respond? And how much of the 9 page complaint was anecdotal evidence from a few particularly angry neighbors?

Maybe Elliott was skewing the facts himself. I don’t know, but I get a sense that the ANC decided long ago to pursue the moratorium and no “mere procedure” like fair notice and hearing was going to get in its way.

By: Ken Archer

Ken Archer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:04:12 +0000

GM,

So adding seats for people increases car traffic, but adding seats for cars (parking spaces) doesn’t increase car traffic? That makes no sense.

I wish we could defer all of these decisions to a future day when we have performance parking throughout the neighborhood. If we do performance parking right, such that there actually is 1 space per block available most of the time at a market rate, then reducing density will no longer be the solution to our car issues.