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later hours).
--Given this new precedent, our concern is that Del Ray
will become something of a bar destination. To be clear, we have nothing
against bars--Del Ray is not, however, an ideal "bar
neighborhood." There are a number of options for late night bars in
and around Alexandria, to the extent that one easily can find such a
location without having to go to a residential neighborhood. As one of the
speakers at the Planning Commission meeting noted, we do not want Del Ray
to become an Adams Morgan.
--Several people have made the point that it
would be nice to have a late night dining option in Del Ray. I certainly
have no problem with that, but I question whether or not late night dining
is the business opportunity prompting a desire for late hours. It seems
reasonable to assume that the motivation for those later hours is the
revenue available from drink sales. Again, I have no problem with bars or
drink sales--1 am concerned, though, that later hours (primarily for
alcohol sales) will have a negative effect on the character and quality of
life of Dei Ray. There is a balance between maintaining the character of
Del Ray and ensuring viable business opportunities for restaurantslbars.
The abundance of healthy, vibrant businesses in Del Ray (each of which
lives with existent operating hours) suggests that we have that
balance.
--A reasonable compromise (if, in fact, late night dining truly
is the reason for later hours) would seem to entail staying open later for
food service, but stopping alcohol sales at the closing times agreed to by
the Planning Commission and their professional staff.
--There does not
seem to be a compelling reason for the Council to go against the
recommendation of the Planning Committee, its professional staff, and years
of precedent on evening hours. I understand that a divided Dei Ray
Citizens Association voted in favor of slighHy later hours than those
approved by the Planning Commission and the professional staff. Although I