| On this page: |
|---|
| * License Tracking Sheet |
| * Presenter Guidelines |
| * About the APC |
| * Committee Members |
| * Meeting Agendas |
| * SA Search (ABCA) |
| * Meetings of the APC |
| * FAQ |
| * Meeting Minutes |
About the ABCA Policy Committee
Chairperson: Joe Florio
The ABCA Policy Committee (APC) advises the Commission on issues related to the DC government’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). The APC is the community’s first opportunity to engage on all alcohol license issues in ANC 2F (e.g., new license requests, license renewals, Settlement Agreement negotiations).
Efficiency
Assuming applicant cooperation, the full ANC will vote on a settlement agreement within two meetings of notice of application. We seek to expedite the process while ensuring a fair and comprehensive process.
Transparency
To improve transparency, ANC 2F has developed the below process for consideration of liquor and cannabis licenses. While the ANC recognizes that each application has its own unique circumstances, we endeavor to offer a standard process and template in order to set expectations for the ANC as a whole. The template is subject to modification as needed.
Community Collaboration
Most importantly, the committee seeks to establish an atmosphere welcoming to businesses and respectful of resident needs and concerns.
As representatives of a neighborhood, we act in partnership with all stakeholders. To learn more about the APC, please refer to our bylaws.
To learn more about the APC, please refer to ANC 2F’s bylaws.
| SMD | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | Commissioner Joe Florio |
| 01 | Commissioner David Rubenstein |
| 02 | Commissioner Neil Rocklin |
| 03 | VACANT |
| 04 | VACANT |
| 05 | Commissioner Christopher Dyer |
| 06 | VACANT |
| 07 | Commissioner Brant Miller |
| 08 | VACANT |
| At-Large | Joyce Cowan |
APC meetings
The APC usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month, at 7 p.m via Zoom. So as to allow appropriate public notice of the issues before the committee, the agenda for each meeting is set and distributed a week prior through this website. Those having business before the committee should contact the APC Chair and ANC Executive Director to be added to the meeting agenda by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the next APC meeting. All materials that will be used in support of an application must be submitted to the ANC Executive Director by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the APC meeting.
License Tracking Sheet
CLICK HERE to view the status of all license requests scheduled for review by the ABRA Policy Committee, including any related action(s) taken by the full Commission.
ABCA Settlement Agreement (SA) Search
Settlement Agreements (SAs– formerly known as Voluntary Agreements) may be looked up on ABCA’s website using this record search tool.
ABCA Notices of Public Hearing and Renewal Notices are posted here on ABCA’s website.
APC meeting minutes
NO JUNE MEETING
NO APRIL MEETING
NO JANUARY MEETING
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the purpose of a Settlement Agreement?
A Settlement Agreement (SA) is a contract between an establishment seeking to obtain or renew a license to serve alcoholic beverages and the community (as represented by the ANC and/or a community association) regarding the establishment’s operational practices. The purpose of the SA is to address community interest regarding an establishment’s operations and to avoid any potential problems surrounding the issuance or renewal of an alcoholic beverage license. SAs are generally negotiated between the ANC commissioner in whose Single Member District the establishment is located and the owner or manager of the establishment. Community associations may also take part in these discussions.
2) Is there a standard SA?
The APC developed a Settlement Agreement template for alcohol and cannabis licenses, which the Committee uses as a base for customizing an agreement between the Licensee and ANC 2F. No two SAs are completely identical, though all share core components, including:
- Hours of Operation
- Sidewalk Cafes and Summer Gardens
- Noise
- Public Space and Trash
- Rat and Vermin Control
- Patrons
- Entertainment
- Other concerns as appropriate
Find SA templates here:
Alcohol Licensing Settlement Agreement Template
Cannabis Licensing Settlement Agreement Template
3) When is an SA appropriate?
ANC2F will enter into settlement agreements when an establishment is located within 300 feet of a residentially zoned property. However, this does not preclude the ANC from entering into settlement agreements with establishments outside of 300 feet of a residentially zoned process.
4) Will ANC 2F protest applications in neighboring ANCs?
As a general rule, ANC2F will not protest liquor license applications outside the boundaries of the ANC and will encourage neighboring ANCs to extend reciprocal treatment. However, an exception may be considered upon the request of an ANC Commissioner in either district or a resident of ANC2F.
5) What is the process for protest of an application? What do the various protest and hearing dates mean?
The protest process generally consists of the following steps and important dates:
Posting date: The first of day of the required forty-five (45) day period that an establishment applying for an ABRA license (or renewal) must post a placard (a notice sign) on their establishment advertising their ABCA application;
Petition date/deadline: A date forty-five (45) days after the Posting Date, by which protest letters are due to ABRA (by 11:59pm, generally a Monday, except when a holiday);
Roll call hearing (protested applications only): An ABCA hearing set for two (2) weeks after the Petition Date, during which the ABCA Board’s Agent determines if the protesting parties have standing;
Mediation date (protested applications only): An ABCA-facilitated meeting between the applicant and protestants conducted by the Board’s Mediator to seek dispute resolution between the Parties;
Status hearing (protested applications only): Parties come before the Board to discuss the Status of the Protest;
Protest hearing (protested applications only): a date for a Formal Hearing conducted by the Board (set in advance for ALL new applications OR scheduled as a result of a protest) during which Parties present arguments and witnesses, and after which the Board issues a written Order within 60-90 days.
View a detailed “Protest Roadmap” flowchart of the above process on ABCA’s website.
6) What are Alcohol License Classes and Standards for Settlement Agreements?
- Class A: Permits liquor stores and wholesalers to sell beer, wine and spirits. Settlement agreements are not usually necessary.
- Class B: Permits grocery stores and wholesalers to sell beer and wine. Settlement agreements are not usually necessary.
- Class C: Permits on-premise retailers to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor. Settlement agreements are usually appropriate.
- Class D: Permits restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels and multipurpose facilities to sell and serve beer and wine. Settlement agreements are appropriate and address the issues outlined for Class C licenses.
- Class F: Permits a temporary licensee for a special event to sell and serve beer and wine for up to 4 consecutive days. Settlement agreements are not usually appropriate.
- Class G: Permits a temporary licensee for a special event to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor for up to 4 consecutive days. Settlement agreements are not usually appropriate.
7) What are the medical cannabis licenses?
- Courier: Permits the third-party delivery of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and paraphernalia on behalf of licensed retailers and internet retailers to eligible patients and their caregivers.
- Cultivation Center: Permits the growing of cannabis for sale to licensed Retailers in DC for resale to eligible patients.
- Internet Retailer: Permits businesses that do not have a physical location open to the public to sell cannabis and paraphernalia online and by mobile application for delivery to eligible patients.
- Manufacturer: Permits the processing, packaging, and labeling of medical cannabis products for sale and distribution to licensed retailers and internet retailers in DC for resale to eligible patients and caregivers.
- Retailer: Permits the dispensing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to eligible patients and caregivers. Permits Retailers to manufacture, purchase, and sell paraphernalia. Retailers are eligible to request any combination of license endorsements to expand their business operations.
- Testing Laboratory: Permits the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and provides testing results to licensed cultivation centers and manufacturers.
- Conditional: Provides a license to applicants without a proposed location. Applicants have up to one (1) year to secure a location and provide ABCA with all required documents and fees. Available for all license types.