Mayor Fenty Announces Closing of Philly Pizza

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, joined by Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Director Linda K. Argo and Attorney General Peter Nickles, announced this morning that the owners of Philly Pizza and Grill, Inc. (1211 Potomac Street) agreed to close their doors after months of complaints and litigation with neighbors and regulators. 

Mayor Fenty, DCRA Director Linda K. Argo and Attorney General Peter Nickles

In attendance was Martin Sullivan, the attorney representing Georgetown residents who had been experiencing the excessive noise, trash, and  late-night crowds spilling over into the street. Philly Pizza had had a valid license but with a 7 seat restaurant, often had over 100 people in the place. The restaurant was operating essentially as a carry-out.

On October 14, 2009, the DCRA issued a notice to revoke Philly Pizza's certificate of occupancy after the business failed to to come into compliance despite warnings from city offiicals.  While on appeal with the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), Philly Pizza continued to operate until the February 16, 2010 hearing where the BZA upheld the DCRA's revocation. But Philly Pizza continued to remain open, forcing the city to file a Temporary Restraining Order in DC Superior Court to force the business to close. The owners voluntarily agreed to close before the judge was scheduled to rule.

ANC Commissioner Bill Starrels, Peter Nickles and Linda K. Argos

"It's a 5," said ANC Commissioner Bill Starrels, when asked on a scale of 1 to 5 how bad was this zoning violation.

Following the press conference, Fenty, along with neighbors, inspected the non-permanent (and unauthorized) ventilation system still on the roof of Philly Pizza. Stay tuned.