Comments on Muriel Bowser unsure on parking minimums, corner stores - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by William

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:08:13 EDT

The only confusion is the backtracking on her part when she realizes most DC residents favor these changes and she is eyeing a citywide office.

Comment by Vann-Di Galloway

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:47:33 EDT

It is harsh and incorrect to say that Councilmember Bowser was 'confused about the specifics' since she has clearly articulated her position at numerous ANC meetings.

Comment by Tom Coumaris

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:58:28 EDT

Vincent Orange is doing his part.

Comment by JustMe

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:52:41 EDT

"We are a simple people living in a small country town, and we do not need all this fancy-pants commercial activity in our community spearheaded by hoity-hoity rich outsiders here to make money off us." - The summary of every argument against corner stores in DC.

Comment by Ms. D

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:17:47 EDT

I previously lived within 3 blocks of *3* corner stores (plus Schneider's). I miss them so much. They were the best thing ever when I tried my hand (and failed) at making gravy and didn't want to leave my guests without (being someone who does not like gravy, I contend that my turkey is so good it's unnecessary, but people really love their gravy), or blanked on some necessary ingredient, or, like Alan mentioned, for just picking up something quick on my way home. There was rarely more than a half-dozen people in the store at any time I stopped in, and they were almost exclusively my neighbors (occasionally their guests as well). While there was a very small amount of foot traffic generated, it was mostly neighborhood folks and people otherwise passing by just quietly walking to the store. Every once in a while I'd see someone park and run in for a minute, but almost all of their patrons arrived by foot, so car traffic/parking was never much of an issue.

In the sense that people could be bothered by late-night foot traffic, I don't mind the hours restrictions too much. Even with less restrictive rules, the ones on the Hill closed by 10 anyway (while that was because it was the end of alcohol sales for non-grocers, the one closest to my house actually closed at 9:30, so the hours decision was mostly demand/convenience for the family - they were almost exclusively family-run). 9 is a little early, but I think it's late enough that most people can get their "last run" in before they have to decide if what they need/want is worth the trip to a real grocery store. I always saw these as a huge asset to a neighborhood when done well, and, I guess, I'd be very happy to have one and think others should have the chance to have a more convenient shopping opportunity nearby.

Limiting alcohol to beer & wine and prohibiting single sales for these stores in neighborhoods where problems may arise (or not allowing a liquor license at all, though that often sinks a business such as this) seems, to me, the route to limit problems while providing a convenient service for the neighborhood. The beauty of rules and decisions like that is that they are handled OUTSIDE of the zoning code, so they are easier to change and can be tailored to a neighborhood's needs. Some neighborhoods will attract and be very happy with stores that would want to sell singles of high-quality beers, while others would want to prevent a sea of 40's from becoming strewn all over the lawns. Over time, the neighborhoods in those categories are likely to change, and, by not baking a behavior-regulating rule into a long-term building and use code, everyone can be best served while still being protected.

Comment by Alan B.

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:45:13 EDT

It's only a problem because it's illegal and there is no way to legally construct them.

Comment by Rich

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:38:21 EDT

Illegally constructed accessory dwellings have been a problem in Ward 4. probably not popular.

Corner stores sound like a nice idea, but existing actual stores seem be getting turned into restaurants, and not necessarily cheap ones.

Comment by Alan B.

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:22:31 EDT

I don't actually think the rules for the corner stores are dumb. I find them pretty well formulated. I like living in an area is walking distance to places I want to go, but quietish. The hours of operation restrictions make a lot of sense to me especially. The logic of the buffer makes sense as those people already have significant access to commercial areas. I could see even other protections for neighbors such as allowing additional fencing or other physical barriers to separate the space if requested as a condition of approval. The end result is likely not to be a large number of them, but where they do occur it will be where business owners see a significant demand which means its good for everyone. We are putting these into places where longtime residents already live after all.

Comment by Alan B.

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:48:51 EDT

A friend rented a basement unit in Ward 4 years ago. Not sure if it was legal or not. The DC rental market is tight though and an extra $12000+ a year might sound pretty good to some homeowners these days. It would depend a bit on the house style, but my friends basement was more or less in a colonial (with a side entrance) so I'm not sure it's as unlikely as you might think.

What exactly is the legal definition of corner store anyway? I can't imagine why anyone would be concerned if it's basic foodstuffs. I suppose they could create a zoning category that prohibits alcohol if that's of concern. Personally, it sounds terribly convenient to me, as a person that stops by one of my corner stores on the way home to pick up a half gallon of milk or a bottle of wine.

Comment by drumz

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:46:47 EDT

Those corner store rules seem really dumb.

1. Restrictions on hours that don't exist for basically any other business (except places that sell alcohol).
2. Restrictions on location that amount to the city basically pre-choosing where your business can be.
3. On top of that you can't be too close to an already existing commercial zone. Some of these zones are literally about a block long. As if people who live close to these blocks are especially burdened and have no refuge anywhere else in the city to get away from the presence of a new convenience store.

Comment by HogWash

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:13:14 EDT

At least I now understand the ADU debate. The opposition doesn't make much sense to me and I still contend that there will not be spurred interest in basement/ADU rentals...on both the homeowner and rental side. Especially when you consider the cost in retrofitting a homes existent basement into a separate unit.

Haven't followed the corner store debate but I am more sensitive to that than the hoopla over ADU's.

Comment by David Alpert

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:51:08 EDT

Fixed, thanks.

Comment by Alex B.

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:48:35 EDT

The 'click for full version of the PDF' link is not working.