Kelly Liquor store: Update

I received this e-mail about the Kelly Liquor store. It doesn't look good...

"Thank you for expressing your concern about the Kelly Liquor Store that will be going up at 6531 Paradise. As I expressed in my previous email, Councilor Lewis asked that I look into this issue on your behalf. I apologize for the length of time this took to research, but I wanted to make sure we provided you with the correct information and that every avenue was properly explored.

On August 19^th, 2009 the city received a request for approval to the liquor license application.

As required by city ordinance, the liquor hearing was advertised in the paper on August 24^th and August 31^st, 2009. Furthermore, the applicant contacted Ventana Ranch Neighborhood Association through a letter, notifying them of the possibility of a liquor store in the vicinity. Through this, the neighborhood was properly notified as required by ordinance.

Zoning checked out the property and completed the zonal certification on September 4^th, 2009. They recommended that the license be approved as the zoning (SU-1 for restrictive C2 uses, which was approved by the EPC in 2000) does not provide for any distance requirement from a residential zone. Additionally, the nearest church, at this time, was 3,948 feet away and the nearest school was about 2,000 feet away. The ordinance does not provide for any distance requirement from a park.

The hearing was held on September 10^th, 2009. With the findings from zoning and lack of neighborhood complaint, they found that the license would not be detrimental to the public safety and morals of the residents of the City of Albuquerque. They also found that the applicant complied with the ordinance provisions. The liquor license was approved.

Unfortunately, after consulting with the City’s Liquor Hearing Officer and legal advisors, the process is now at a point where we have explored every opportunity to try to stop this. The liquor applicant completely followed state and city requirements.

I can assure you that in the future, now that Councilor Lewis is in the office, he will do his best to make sure residents are aware of any change of this manner in their community. Please know that Councilor Lewis is disappointed that this happened and certainly does not agree with these kinds of establishments in this location."