August 31, 2009 Attn: City Clerk (c/o John White) City Council City of Los Angeles 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 RE: Council File # 09-1812 and ZA-2008-4317 (Alcohol Permit for Tropicana Market, 5200 Monte Vista st. in Highland Park) Dear City Council Members: As a long-time resident and homeowner in Highland Park, I would like to go on record in opposition of the City's approval or determination of "public convenience or necessity" associated with the applicant's request for a new alcohol permit from ABC and the required Los Angeles Alcohol Conditional Use Permit. Because this particular application (Tropicana Market) is in a census tract that already exceeds the maximum number of permits allowed by state law, I am opposed to the applicant's request for an Alcohol CUP and the City should not consider this of "public convenience or necessity." In addition, I have been to several community meetings at Monte Vista Elementary School about the crime and violence in our community and this particular location is less than two blocks away from this important elementary school and does not comply with the requirement to be over 1,000 feet away from schools, churches, parks, etc. I am supportive of our community's small businesses and their survival. Since this particular business has had a successful operation for many years without the sale of alcohol, I ask that you simply deny this request (and any new permit requests) for a new alcohol license in this census tract. There are other alternatives for this business, such as finding and purchasing an existing alcohol permit for this census tract, if they feel the need to expand their product offerings in this manner. Thank you for your consideration of my input and concerns. Sincerely, Nicole Possert 124 Roselawn Place, Los Angeles, CA 90042 (20 year homeowner) Page I of I John White - Tropicana Liquor Lie From: Rosa Cortez <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: 8/3112009 2:58 PM Subject: Tropicana Liquor Lie I am a Highland Park resident for over 40 years and I am greatly concerned about the carelessness of our representatives in maintaining our community. The last thing we need is another liquor facility to accommodate those who are constantly breaking the laws. Rose M. Cortez file:IIC:\Documents and Settings\Clerk\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4A9BE50Cdoml p... 9/2/2009 Page 1 of 1 John White - La Tropicana Market liquor license From: <kennelcom@aoLcom> To: <[email protected]> Date: 8/31120093:31 PM Subject: La Tropicana Market liquor license Mr. White, My family and I wish to add our opposition to this Wednesday's City Council agenda file #09-1812 item 16, La Tropicana Market liquor license. We are opposed to the issuance of this license being that there's already too many liquor licenses in that area and it is a high crime area. There's also an Elementary School nearby (Monte Vista Elementary School). Those children have been subjected to the crime in the area during school hours causing many of them to be afraid to attend schooL It's been so bad that the school even received a writeup in the newspaper about their fears and having to learn to drop in the classroom when hearing gunshots. It is a known fact that alcohol use increases the tendency to commit criminal acts of all kinds. We thank you for your consideration, Linda Phelps, Roger Phelps and Kevin Phelps, 5800 Buchanan Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042 file:IIC:\Documents and Settings\Clerk\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4A9BECC6doml p... 9/2/2009 Page 1 of2 John White - Re: 09-1812 From: gemma marquez <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: 8/31120093:49 PM Subject: Re: 09-1812 Re: Item 16/09-1812 La Tropicana Market 5200 Monte Vista Street hQs.:;&ii.~i~s;.:g:~":9..QQij" Dear City Council Members, The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood voted to oppose the request made by La Tropicana Market. As a long-time resident of Highland Park, over 45 years, I'd like to go on record in OPPOSITION to the request made by La Tropicana Market. Highland Park is a community that is at the crossroads of an upward trend with new life coming into our community. Although, no one wants to see a viable business close during these tough economic times; our Highland Park community can not afford another alcohol outlet in a census tract that has already exceeded the allotted amount and has been classified by ABC as a "High Ciime"Arefl';:" The following are reasons to OPPOSE: • The proposed site is in an area with a long-term level of undue concentration of alcoholic beverage outlets, • The geographic area is the target of special law enforcement activity, i.e., added police patrols, high graffiti/tagging in an area with 2 injunctions against violent gangs (Avenues and Highland Park). • The proposed site is in close proximity to sensitive uses, M;C)!.lt.e..yi"s"tf1";E.:l~!n.:e.n.:1:iJry.§(;"ll().()"1- 2 blocks north on Monte Vista/Avenue 54, churches (Figueroa and Avenue 54 and other local congregations. • The geographic area has elevated levels of alcohol-related crimes, including but not limited to: public intoxication, driving under the influence, assaults, vandalism, drug violations, loitering and increase crime specifically at the Monte Vista corridor between Avenue 50 and Avenue 60. In the last two years, Highland Park has been in every local newspapers and news channel, struck with tragic story after tragic story. When is one tragedy too many? For example, the recent shooting of a 13 year-old shot twice in the face at the corner of Figueroa and Meridian. Or, the mother who stabbed and decapitated her son near Burbank Middle School. And, the shooting of a bicyclist near the requested file:IIC:\Documents and Settings\Clerk\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4A9BFOFBdoml p... 9/2/2009 Page 2 of2 census tract. All of the above in just the last month or so. Our community needs hope, education, and opportunities. Our community does not need another market becoming a liquor store! Again, our community needs HOPE and OPPORTUNITIES; not another alcohol outlet. I urge you to please OPPOSE the request and support HOPE in our community! Respectfully, Gemma Marquez This e-mail message (including any attachments) maycontainconfidential,privileged or non-public information and is for the sale use of the designated recipient(s). Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete the original message and any attachments from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this message by unintended recipients is not authorized by the sender and may be unlawful. file:IIC:\Documents and Settings\CJerk\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\4A9BFOFBdoml p... 9/2/2009 Page 1 of 1 .John White - No La Tropicana Market Liquor license Please From: "Suzanne Selby" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: 8/31/20095:45 PM Subject: No La Tropicana Market Liquor license Please I am writing to voice my opposition to granting a liquor license to the La Tropicana Market on Monte Vista St. here in Highland Park. There is a school in close proximity to the market, and according to the LAPD, crime is at a higher concentration in this district. I feel the over-saturation of liquor stores in this small area may be a contributor. We don't need another vendor. A vote of No would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration. Suzanne Selby, Highland Park resident, and member of North Highland Park Neighborhood Watch Suzanne Selby storm~irds@_earthlink,net EarthLink Revolves Around You. file:IIC:\Documents and Settings\Clerk\Local Settings\ Temp\XPgrpwise\4A9COC4 7dom 1p... 9/2/2009 From: trisha gossett <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: 8/31/20095:50 PM Subject: Vote No on liquor license for La Tropicana Market In Highland Park Dear Mr. White, I am asking for a No vote for a liquor license request from the La Tropicana Market here on Monte Vista Street. I am one of many concerned citizens who feel that we have too many liquor vendors in the area already. Our lead officer Mark Allen of the LAPD has let it be known that the crime in this area persists, even though crime in Highland Park has decreased over all. I feel the concentration of liquor licenses do not help in this respect. The fact that there is a school a couple of short blocks away on Monte Vista should also be considered. Please help us in our quest to restore a safe community for all the children and citizens of our wonderful community. Thanks for your support. Trisha Gossett, Highland Park, CD14 From: Bianca Marquez <[email protected]> To: <john. [email protected]> CC: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <juanita.martine ... Date: 8/31/20096:35 PM Subject: RE: 09-1812 La Tropicana Market Dear Council Members, It's come to my attention that Item Number 16, 09-1812, La Tropicana Market is requesting an alcohol license based on the following "Public Convenience or Necessity." As a resident of Highland Park for 21 years, a senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I know that a heavy concentration of alcohol outlets does not benefit a community.