Laura Sturza
Though met with some public resistance, a 7-Eleven that would
replace a video store received the Planning Board's approval to sell
liquor.
The 7-Eleven cannot begin selling alcohol in the space leased by
Goodtime Video at 600 N. Glenoaks Blvd. until after the city's appeal
period, and after receiving the Alcoholic Beverage Control's
approval. Goodtime Video plans to move to the 500 block of North
Glenoaks Boulevard.
While two business owners and a resident spoke against the
licensure, saying it would be the third store to sell liquor in a
two-block radius and noisy during nighttime deliveries, the board
approved its conditional-use permit last week.
"The controversy that surrounded it appeared to be more of a
business competition issue rather than a land-use issue," Planning
Board member Carolyn Berlin said. "I based my decision more on the
fact that we were able to get tighter restrictions on their sale of
alcohol because of their outreach to the community."
The site's owner, Stuart Chase, met with nearby churches, a
synagogue and the manager of a senior residence facility to address
possible concerns, Berlin said. Chase voluntarily reduced the liquor
sales curfew from 2 a.m. to midnight.
As to the number of businesses selling alcohol in the area, Berlin
said she doesn't "consider it to be an over-intensity" since the
densely populated area can justify it.
A petition circulated by Star Express Market, a store across the
street, generated 400 sig- natures, but Berlin said it was unclear if
the signers all lived in the immediate area, and only one of them
attended the meeting.
"It appeared that people were loyal to the business across the
street," Berlin said.
However, resident Jesse Byers said "a lot of those people are
older and disabled" and could not attend the meeting.
Regarding possible additional noise, board members felt that
delivery trucks would be no different from ones used by the other
market, and would be no noisier than air conditioners.
Associate City Planner Jeremy Ochsenbein said 24-hour stores and
those selling liquor tend to draw community attention.
"It's more than typical but not out of the ordinary," Ochsenbein
said.
Residents can file an appeal opposing the decision through Tuesday
at the city's Planning Department.
