City Heights Liquor License Fight Reveals Blurry Line Between Community Concerns and Business Interests

City Heights residents are never happy about alcohol permits being approved in their neighborhood, but one has sparked a whole new level of pushback.

In September, the city said a proposed 7-11 on University Avenue could buy an existing license from a liquor store down the street, and it slapped so many restrictions on the permit that a city official called them unprecedented.

And because the permit is being transferred – as opposed to a new one being issued – it wouldn’t increase the number of liquor licenses in the area.

Yet the move has nonetheless sparked a massive backlash.