KNA Opposes Unrestricted OLCC License for 7-Eleven

The following is a letter submitted to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission at yesterday’s hearing on the 7-Eleven license application. The license was granted with no restrictions but KNA is committed to continuing negotiations with 7-Eleven to preserve neighborhood livability through a good neighbor agreement.

Oregon Liquor Control Commission
9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Portland, OR 97222

RE: 7-11 5150 NE MLK Blvd, Portland – Liquor License Request for Restriction

The King Neighborhood Association (KNA) has previously submitted opposition to an unrestricted OLCC license being issues to the 7-11 now located at 5150 NE MLK Blvd, Portland. At that time the King Neighborhood Association requested that the license be restricted based on size and alcohol content of beverages, as well as the time of sale be restricted to no later than 1:00 am.
On February 7th, Ryan Kroll, on behalf of 7-11 engaged with the King Neighborhood Association and has entered into negotiations to find suitable accommodations for the concerns of the KNA. We believe that 7-11 is acting in good faith as is the KNA and we would like to formally request an extension of one month on your deliberation of this matter. While we have made excellent progress on a draft agreement, there are items that warrant further discussion.
The King Neighborhood has in the past and does currently struggle with street drinking amongst other public safety concerns. Great strides have been made over the past 10 years within the neighborhood to make significant improvements, but there is much work yet to be done. As new businesses move into our neighborhood it is incumbent both on those businesses and the neighbors to work together to ensure that the positive momentum that has carried us this far continues.
We urge you to grant this request and allow us the opportunity to work with our new neighbor to continue to make positive change in the King Neighborhood a reality.
Sincerely,

Russ Eisenberg
Co-Chair KNA on behalf of the King Neighborhood Association

Bushel and Peck, 7-Eleven Liquor License Comment Period Open

The following Liquor License application was received for consideration by the City of Portland the week of December 24th to Dec 28th, 2012.
Please follow this link to see the applications in their entirety: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=48007&
If you wish to comment please fill out the attached comment form and submit it to the City of Portland Liquor License Notification Program.

BUSHEL AND PECK BAKESHOP
3907 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Type of License: New Outlet – Limited on Premise
Coalition: NECN

Comments Due: 1/28/2013

Application Comment Form.

Also, the OLCC did not receive any comment from the King Neighborhood Association regarding the liquor license application for 7-Eleven at MLK/Sumner. They did receive nine e-mails objecting to the application from neighbors. The King Neighborhood Association has not made a Good Neighbor Agreement with 7-Eleven, Inc. The OLCC would like to know in writing or by email what decision the King Neighborhood Association comes to on this liquor license application. Even if it is to make no recommendation. Given recent history, they want to make sure that the King Neighborhood Association has considered this application and has no objections, or that they document any objections that may exist.

For more information, contact:

Karen Keith, License Investigator
Oregon Liquor Control Commission
503-872-5216
karen.keith@state.or.us

Meeting on 7-Eleven April 18th

Do you want a 7-Eleven in your neighborhood?

What do you want neighborhood revitalization to look like?

The King Neighborhood Association
Invites you to a meeting with representatives from 7-Eleven to discuss their proposal to build a store
at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd & Sumner.

Residents near the location have adamantly opposed construction of a 7-Eleven.

Our meeting will feature community speakers addressing issues of store-related crime, effects on local minority-owned businesses, an increase in traffic on a neighborhood residential street, what it means to have a chain store sited in an area zoned for the creation and promotion of locally-owned business, and the fact that 7-11 profits from addictive and poisonous products, at the expense of community and individual health & wellness.

Join us as neighbors working with neighbors for a healthy community.
Let 7-Eleven know what you think!

Wednesday, April 18th
6:30 – 8 pm
King Elementary School library
4906 NE 6th Avenue