Forest Hills Connection || News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Covering Forest Hills, Van Ness, North Cleveland Park and Wakefield

  • About Us
    • About Forest Hills Connection
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Donate & Subscribe
  • Classifieds
  • News
    • ANC 3F
    • Business
      • Business in Brief
      • Out to Eat
      • Shop & Eat Local
    • Getting Around
    • Main Street
    • Neighborhood in the News
    • Opinion
    • Parks and Streams
    • Real Estate
    • UDC
  • Style
    • Food
    • History
    • Meet the Neighbors
    • Neighbors Recommend
    • Services
    • Things To Do
  • Home Front
    • High-Rise Life
    • In the Garden
    • In the Kitchen
  • Backyard Nature
    • Local Wildlife
    • Wildlife Photos
  • Kids & Pets
    • At School
    • At Play
    • Kids Write
    • Pets
  • Calendar

Nightlife and Liquor Licenses

May 8, 2012 by FHC

Before new restaurants or bars can serve this...

ANC 3F has a lot of clout in determining the kind of night life we have in Forest Hills. This is done through voluntary agreements for liquor licenses. ANC 3F Commissioner Adam Tope explains the process.

by Adam Tope
ANC 3F Commissioner

When a new restaurant or bar seeks to get a liquor license or seeks to make a substantial change to their existing liquor license (such as significantly expanding the seating or size of the establishment), area residents, the ANC and other community groups may protest a license.

When a license is protested, these groups contact ABRA, the DC entity in charge of liquor licenses, to list the reasons why they believe the license will impact the “peace, order and quiet” of the neighborhood. If a license is protested, ABRA holds a protest hearing for the parties to discuss their concerns.

Often, prior to the protest hearing, the groups protesting the license may enter into an agreement with the establishment called a “Voluntary Agreement.” A Voluntary Agreement can govern many items related to the operation of an establishment.

Advertisement

These include:

  • Noise (amplified or unamplified music)
  • Occupancy
  • Outdoor space and design (for instance, ANC 3F requires that plants surround outdoor areas)
  • Hours of operation
  • Management of space surrounding the premises (such as vermin and trash)
  • Restrictions on signage facing public space (i.e., beer signs or signs marketing specials)
  • If the Voluntary Agreement is approved by ABRA, it becomes part of the license.

    With respect to ANC 3F, as a matter of practice, the ANC seeks to enter into a Voluntary Agreement with the owner of any liquor license in our ANC. Typically, the process begins when the ANC receives notice from ABRA that a new liquor license has been applied for in the ANC. At that point, the Commissioner whose district covers the applicant’s store reaches out to the business owner (unless the savvy business owner has already contacted the ANC) to enter into a Voluntary Agreement.

    ANC 3F has a general form of Voluntary Agreement which governs the items described above, though each Voluntary Agreement is tailored for each establishment as needed. Often, depending on feedback from the community, certain restrictions may be negotiated into the Voluntary Agreement, such as limitations on noise, such as limiting an establishment from having bands and other amplified music.

    Voluntary Agreements help the ANC ensure that owners of establishments holding a liquor license care for their property, care for surrounding property and run their businesses within the bounds of what the community expects from such establishments. Voluntary Agreements are a powerful tool used across the District by every ANC and other community organizations.

    A copy of all Voluntary Agreements in ANC 3F are available on ANC 3F’s web site.

    Forest Hills Connection is produced by volunteers, and supported by you. We appreciate your support – financial and otherwise. Here’s how to donate.

    Filed Under: ANC 3F, News

    About Forest Hills Connection

  • Who we are
  • How to advertise
  • How to donate
  • How to submit a story idea
  • Contact us
  • Tweets by foresthillsnews

    Subscribe to Our Blog

    Receive an email alert whenever we publish a new article.

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Arrives in your inbox around mid-month.


    Newsletter Archive         

    Connect With Us!

    Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on RSS

    Local Links

    • Schools, Services and More
    • Restaurants

    Latest Comments

    • Mark Baughman on ANC 3F April 20 agenda: Connecticut Ave. bike lanes; Grants for public art additions and invasive species removal
    • Judith Falk on ANC 3F considers draft resolution supporting addition of Connecticut Ave. bike lanes and removal of reversible rush-hour lanes
    • Nicholas LARDY on ANC 3F April 20 agenda: Connecticut Ave. bike lanes; Grants for public art additions and invasive species removal
    • Ellen Sieminski on Backyard Nature: What to look for when venturing into parks and backyards in April
    • Adam Sieminski on Backyard Nature: What to look for when venturing into parks and backyards in April

    Archives

    About Forest Hills Connection | FHC + VNMS | Who We Are | Contributors
    Submissions Policy | Contact | Advertise | Donate
    © Forest Hills Connection | Site by: VanStudios