When Does A Liquor Store Become A Nuisance?

Neighborhood residents find that closing an unruly local liquor store -- is a lesson in planning gone awry.

1 minute read

November 9, 2004, 1:00 PM PST

The fundamental question of what constitues a nuisance is examined, with desires of neighbors to limit dangerous activity are weighed against a city's desire to remain business-friendly:

"For more than two years, neighbors of Al's Liquors spent day and night documenting problems at the store. They risked their lives confronting drug dealers. They waded through drunken loiterers who blocked sidewalks and threatened them. They called the police nonemergency number too many times to count, just to make sure the problems were being documented somewhere.

But despite their efforts and recommendations from the city attorney and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, a hearing officer's revocation decision was overruled by the Planning Commission in September."

Thanks to Ryan Dunn

FULL STORY: Are liquor stores 'ugly' neighbors?

Monday, November 8, 2004 in The Oakland Tribune

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