Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Committee considers making streetery endorsements permanent, adds 45‑day public comment requirement
Loading...
Summary
The Committee on Business and Economic Development heard testimony supporting legislation to make the District's streetery (outdoor dining/street space) endorsements permanent, impose a 45‑day public comment period and align implementation with DDOT public‑space permitting and ABCA procedures.
The Committee on Business and Economic Development on April 30 reviewed Bill 206‑147, which would make permanent the District's streetery endorsement program that permits sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated street‑level outdoor public spaces and introduce a 45‑day public comment period for streetery applications.
Peter Wood, advisory neighborhood commissioner for Single‑Member District ANC 1C03, testified in favor of making the program permanent and described mixed feedback from residents and business owners in Adams Morgan. Wood said streeteries can enhance neighborhood ambiance and help small businesses increase beverage sales, but emphasized that residents expect enforcement of existing noise and glass‑use rules. "Responsible street implementation requires balancing competing interests and taking careful consideration of multiple perspectives," Wood said, and recommended clear, targeted regulations.
Fred Moussali, Director of the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), testified that 222 businesses currently have streetery endorsements and ABCA supports the bill as introduced. Moussali highlighted four points: the bill would require a 45‑day public comment period for streetery applications (bringing the process in line with placarded sidewalk café and summer garden approvals); the bill's definition of "streetery" was developed with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for administrative consistency; the existing annual streetery fee would remain unchanged; and ABCA can implement the introduced bill with existing resources. Moussali said ABCA would recommend that any manufacturer applications for hours past 1 a.m. follow the public comment process, consistent with D.C. Code §25‑723.
Committee members asked ABCA to clarify implementation details, including the role of DDOT public‑space permits, whether streeteries are restricted to commercial or mixed‑use zones (ABCA: yes), noise restrictions (enforced, generally kicking in after 10 p.m.), the protest/settlement agreement process (ANCs within 600 feet, registered community organizations, property owners, a group of five residents, MPD or mayoral representatives may protest), and aligning endorsement renewal timing with existing three‑year license renewal cycles. ABCA and DDOT told the committee they had coordinated on the definition and implementation approach. ABCA also noted that for properties under Events DC jurisdiction (formerly the convention center), the bill would allow streetery endorsements on Events DC property with coordination on licensing.
No Council vote occurred at the hearing; ABCA recommended the committee consider tying endorsement renewal timing to license renewals and closing any gap between the temporary program's expiration and the start date for the permanent program.
