Residents Upset About Alcohol Variance Will Voice Concerns at Appeals Hearing

LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 1,000 petitioners have requested that the 7-Eleven Corporation be denied two Los Angeles Planning Commission Variances that would allow it to sell alcoholic beverages near sensitive use areas such as schools and parks, according to the Community Leadership Coalition.

The East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission will hold a hearing to consider appeals to a recent Zoning Administrator's decision to allow the variance on Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 4:30 PM at the Ramon Hall, 4580 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065.

At a time when abuse of alcohol has been blamed for a tragic violent event at Dodger Stadium, the LAPD has reversed its decision to be 100% against the variance.  Originally the LAPD was opposed to the variance due to the high crime potential that could result from additional alcohol availability.

One location under consideration is the 7-Eleven Store located at the corner of Eastlake and Broadway, a designated LAPD Gang Injunction area for the notorious Gangs of Eastlake, Lincoln Heights and Clover.  At the time of its establishment 7-Eleven withdrew its application for a Beer and Wine License.  Then, less than 9 months later, it insisted that they needed to add the alcohol products in order to meet corporate goals.  This despite the fact that the store continues to operate within 1,000 feet of Lincoln High School, Gates Elementary School, Little Flower Pre-School and Convent, Kwan Ying Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, the Eastlake Youth Center -- a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, and the East Los Angeles Park.

The other variance is for a 7-Eleven outlet that will replace a 17-year-old donut shop owned by a Mr. Lee.  Mr. Lee is a Navy Veteran who recently was denied the courtesy of renewing his lease in order to be replaced by a 7-Eleven franchisee.  Mr. Lee has never sold any alcohol products. To date, no one from 7-Eleven has had the respect to talk to him and notify him of their plans.  

7-Eleven had originally withdrawn its request for an alcohol variance at this second location as well due to public pressure, but those in the know say that this is the same strategy that is being employed at the Eastlake and Broadway Store and eventually that the store will also seek an alcohol license.  The store is located across the street from one of the City of Los Angeles' largest city parks and adjacent to several other sensitive uses.  Included in the sensitive uses are El Arca that assists special needs clients, The LAUSD East Los Angeles Skill Center, the CRI-Help Substance abuse center, Plaza de la Raza, and the DMV.

For more information please contact:
Hugo Pacheco 323-528-7605
Community Leadership Coalition

Jose Aguilar 323-359-6745

SOURCE Community Leadership Coalition