Under the Ward 2 moratorium law, Georgetown can accommodate no more than 61 liquor licenses issued in the neighborhood. However, a new ruling has added seven licenses, extending the allowed number to 68.
An amendment to the moratorium, which has been in effect since 1989, was approved unanimously by DC’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Wednesday night according to a report by the Washington City Paper.
The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration will accept license applications on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 8:30 a.m. June 17.
Members of the ABC Board believed the increase in licenses would not adversely affect the neighborhood, but residents at the June 16 hearing argued it would add noise and disorder to Georgetown, according to the Washington Post.
The board will revisit the decision in three years to determine if changes need to be made.