So much for smooth sailing for Capitol Hill’s first Chipotle — the local planning and zoning committee voted Tuesday night to oppose the popular fast-food restaurant’s application for Barracks Row.
According to the Eastern Market Metro Community Association blog, the ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee voted to oppose a Chipotle Mexican Grill because the restaurant’s corporate officials were not present to defend their request for a special exception to zoning regulations prohibiting businesses from opening fast-food restaurants in that commercial corridor.
“Committee members stressed that they want to hear the same presentation that Chipotle representatives will make to the Board of Zoning Adjustment to justify the exception,” said Larry Janezich, the blog’s author.
Janezich went on to quote Commissioner Ivan Frishberg as saying “the track record of corporate chains is abysmal” in Barracks Row and “I’m not sure we can trust a corporate regional representative to be a good neighbor.”
The issue is scheduled to go before the full ANC6B at its regular meeting June 14.
Streetsense Retail Advisors manages the space now occupied by The Dollar Store and the adjacent space formerly occupied by China Wall restaurant. Chipotle would occupy half the space and plans to open in early 2012. The remaining half would be made available for lease, according to the EMMCA blog.
