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Did anyone think that Mr. Madera
was really working for the store owners?
was really working for the store owners?
As far as establishments that sell liquor, beer and wine, don't we have about enough? These stores seem to be all over the place and creeping right next door to single family residential neighborhoods. Our "quaint little drinking town" is getting less quaint as the days go by. Will we eventually be like Tijuana? Waivers are given out like candy and our Ordinances no longer have any teeth.
Last Wednesday two convenience stores appeared before the Planning & Zoning Board to ask for a distance waiver and a special land use for their stores now selling bread and milk and other convenient staples and convert them to liquor stores where they can make a bigger profit. I am not against profit. What I am against is dotting our city with booze and eventually being known as Sleaze City USA.
1. PZB PR No. 12-00500001 Special Land Use and Proximity Waiver for a liquor store
The first business that came before the board was applicant Amit Patel and the property located at 630 S. Dixie. He came with his attorney, Betty Resch and a court reporter (subtle intimidation to the Board to pass and approve the waiver). Close by is La Cantina Nightclub located at 620 S. Dixie that sells liquor. The Patel property is within the 400 feet Ordinance that prohibits another establishment to sell liquor without a waiver. Mr. Madera said that it would not cause any traffic problem and that the property fell within all the provisions of the Lake Worth Municipal Code and recommended that a waiver be granted. Proper notice was given to those properties most affected. All those who wrote letters and spoke before the Board were against it other than one citizen. Crime stats in that area of town were mentioned and Board member Waples had a list of crimes as long as his arm. After the end of much discussion, the application was denied.
Hares Amin, President
Dixie Discount Beverage
Dixie Discount Beverage
2. PZB PR No. 12-00500002 Special Land Use and Proximity Waiver for a liquor store
This convenience store is located at 2402 N. Dixie Highway. The application is in the name of Pankil Patel and Hares Amin. Not sure if Mr. Patel is a relative of Amit Patel above. This was the same story--they won't be a nuisance, they want to make more money; they might consider taking down the drive-thru window, and they are Mr. Nice Guys. There are several other establishments that sell liquor within the 400 foot rule and the store borders a single family neighborhood. City Staff and Mr. Madera recommended this waiver as well. It seemed that the Neighborhood did not believe enough notice was given to residents in the area. Mary Lindsey, president of College Park spoke and invited them to speak before her association on June 25. And that's exactly what is going to happen. P&Z got stopped in their authority from making a decision.
I believe that the neighbors coming out in strength against the S Dixie location was a great influence on the Board in rejecting the Application.
ReplyDeleteAlso, being a long term believer that anything appearing before P&Z should appear before the appropriate Neighborhood Association(s)----the manner in which the N Dixie application was postponed accomplished this---just not as formaly as I believe is appropriate.
I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the P&Z should consider our Ordinances first. Rules continue to be waived. This has happened throughout the years. Frankly, I want to see Ordinances adhered. When you end up doing this sort of thing, over and over again, corruption can enter into the process. That was not the case with this P&Z...just saying.
I agree, no more liquor stores or mini marts selling all this liquor, we have enough problems with some open 24 hours and have been caught selling after hours.
ReplyDeleteWhat bugs me more too is all these owners do not drink or believe in it in their culture, but exploit and prey on others to make tons of $ on alcohol sales here in our country, they are greedy, they price gouge the people who go to these stores, many immigrants and poor. They know where the money is, very sad, I hope their God and our God realizes their faults of what they are doing, what double standards, just to make money. Very sad.
The convenience store problems the neighbors complain about will not go away if it is a liquor store instead. They will still be selling the $1.00 beers and the urinating on the dumpster will stay.
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