Update: Even though it was reported as dead in chamber it wasn't. It passed and became law on May 2nd. The 2015 bill was emergency legislation, though I'm not clear why that was needed. It still only applies to full-service station conversions though, as I read it. Georgetown Metropolitan has heard some speculation that the law came from Mendelson, and notes that the bill was introduced by him. But the bill, as originally introduced had nothing to do with gas stations.It was just about removing unneeded boards. Anywhoo, I apologize for any confusion.
In mid-March I reported on a bill that was introduced that would, among other things, create extra hoops for any gas station that wanted to convert into something else like a condo or office building. Then at the end of March, the Post reported that this was already law.
You'll be happy to know that I was probably right and they were most likely wrong. It looks like the bill they cited (Bill 20-71 for those of you keeping track at home) died in chamber (which might explain the "little fanfare"). So, that should put everyone at ease.
But, if you oppose such a law, because it's stupid, then you should be worried that the same language was re-introduced this year (Bill 21-46). The upside is that there is still time to kill it - I suppose.
The gas station advisory board, actually dates back to 1976, when full service stations were being converted into self-service. The concern was that auto owners would be unable to find places to have their car serviced. I don't know if anyone has challenged the city's ability to do this from a property rights standpoint, but if so, then I guess it has stood up.
I heard a rumor that this expansion of the law came from Jack Evans, who was concerned that his gas station of choice (on Wisconsin Avenue, I think) was going to be converted into a condo and he was unhappy about that, so he wanted to be able to stop that. Prior to that, they were actually going to kill the Gas Station Advisory Board which has had no members since 2006.
One more thing, the bill doesn't apply to all gas stations. I don't know if this is a mistake or what, but the current change to the language would only mean that a full-service station couldn't be turned into a condo. But it doesn't appear to apply to nonfull service station.
Below is the current law with the additions in bold. The underlined part is emphasis I added.
No retail service station which is operated as a full service retail service station on or after April 19, 1977, may be discontinued, nor may be structurally altered, modified, or otherwise converted, irrespective of the type or magnitude of the alteration, modification, or conversion, including, but not limited to, any alteration, modification, or conversion which has the effect of merely obstructing access to an existing garage, service bay, work area, or similar enclosed area by any motor vehicle which was previously accommodated, into a nonfull service facility or to any other use.
So this may very well be targeted at harming a Georgetown service station conversion, but it's neither law nor currently targeting all gas stations.
It's still stupid, and they should just follow the recommendations of the Office of Boards and Commissions and kill this particular board. That is all, now back to bike stuff.
What is stupid is that DC permitted 1 person to own a significant amount of the gas stations in DC (all the exxon stations) along with the distribution system in dc.
Along with taxes, this is the big reason why DC pays the most for gas in nation.
Joe Mamo is his name and you can read the story here:http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/40430/joe-mamo-dc-gas-station-master/full/
He wants to convert all of those stations to property.
Big problem is that its not easy to build new gas stations in DC.
So if he had his way, almost everyone in DC would have to go to MD and VA to get gas because there would hardly be enough gas stations left in DC.
Posted by: Brett Young | May 03, 2015 at 02:00 PM
So if he had his way, almost everyone in DC would have to go to MD and VA to get gas because there would hardly be enough gas stations left in DC.
If he can make more money that way - addressing the desire of the market - isn't that just capitalism? The government has a role in breaking up monopolies, but less so in creating negative licenses (a requirement to provide only one use).
Posted by: washcycle | May 03, 2015 at 11:07 PM
"One more thing, the bill doesn't apply to all gas stations.... the current change to the language would only mean that a full-service station couldn't be turned into a condo. But it doesn't appear to apply to nonfull service station."
Step 1: Convert full-service gas station to self-service gas station (assuming that a board with no members can't stop that).
Step 2: Turn self-service gas station into condos.
Simples.
Posted by: DE | May 04, 2015 at 08:19 AM
I have some trouble visualizing the gas station-condo conversion, but, being of an apocalyptic turn of mind, I like the idea of all the tankage.
Posted by: Smedley Burkhart | May 04, 2015 at 08:32 AM
Perhaps they're really small condos.
Posted by: DE | May 04, 2015 at 09:22 AM
Actually, the Board is needed to get an exemption. It's unclear to me if the Mayor can grant one without their recommendation.
Posted by: washcycle | May 04, 2015 at 09:35 AM
I think we need a hobby shop, drug store (preferably with lunch counter), shoe repair, delicatessen, newspaper/candy store (with Spaldeens, and egg creams), 5 & 10, camera store, and stationers, preservation act. I don't trust a retail establishment you can't identify by smell.
Posted by: Smedley Burkhart | May 04, 2015 at 03:57 PM
I continue to believe that the correct way to do this is to amend the real property statute to create a gas station preservation easement, and then allow gas station owners to either sell them to preservationists, or donate them to whatever NGO will accept them (and take a tax deduction).
Posted by: JimT | May 05, 2015 at 07:55 AM
Remember: Fifty years from now you might think we need a Bike Station preservation act.
Posted by: JimT | May 05, 2015 at 07:57 AM
I'm already disappointed that not one of the smartbikes made it into the Smithshonian's American History Museum for their transportation display. America's first bikeshare!
Posted by: washcycle | May 05, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Fifty years from now I might be nostalgic for many aspects of earthly existence, but probably not.
Posted by: Smedley Burkhart | May 05, 2015 at 11:03 AM