Greetings neighbors,

On the evening of November 6 neighborhoods all over Albuquerque will be faced with the challenge of defending themselves from the potential harm imposed upon them by the overabundance of packaged liquor sales at gas stations and convenience stores.  The 2011 District Court precedence that currently favors the protection of our neighborhoods from this harm is at stake.  Southwest Convenience Stores, Inc., a subsidiary of the Alon Israel Oil Company Ltd., wishes to sell liquor at their Lomas Blvd. & Washington St., 7-Eleven store. 

“That’s not my neighborhood.” you may say.  It’s not mine either but know that if your City Council allows this one case to move to District Court, where the established precedence may be successfully challenged, what happens in this case will certainly have a detrimental effect upon the protection your own neighborhood currently enjoys.

Thus far, the efforts of many neighborhoods and two Neighborhood Coalitions have taken this challenge and run with it.  Those neighborhoods need your help and your neighborhood needs theirs.  The score thus far, since 2011 is Neighborhoods 5, Liquor Industry 0.  You can help make it 6 - 0.

Please attend the November 6 City Council Meeting beginning at 5PM and wear one of the red ribbons that will be distributed in support of the Highland Business and Neighborhood Association appeals the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals (BOA) to REVERSE the the Zoning Hearing Examiner’s (ZHE’s) decision to DENY a CONDITIONAL USE to ALLOW THE RETAIL SALE OF ALCOHOLIC DRINK FOR OFF-PREMISE CONSUMPTION within 500 feet of a residential zone. AC-17-9

The City Council will be voting to “ACCEPT” or “REJECT” the Land Use Hearing Officer’s (LUHO’s) recommended decision to reverse the BOA’s decision in favor of the ZHE’s decision in favor of the community, therefore, PUBLIC TESTIMONY IS NOT TAKEN AT THIS TIME.  Should the City Council reject the LUHO’s recommended Decision, the appeal will be scheduled for a full hearing before the City Council at a date no earlier than the next regular meeting of the full Council.

Thank you for what you do for Albuquerque.

Yours in community,
Charlie Bennett
La Mesa Community Improvement Association

P.S.:  A reasonable summary from the Planning Dept. Staff to City Council is attached.