El Monte : Bid to Move Store Opposed

A request by a 7-Eleven store to move 40 feet closer to Shirpser Elementary School is being opposed by El Monte City School District officials, parents and some city officials concerned about sales of alcoholic beverages at the store.

The Planning Commission recommended last month that the store at 3870 N. Baldwin Ave. be denied a zoning change because members felt that a new corner location at Baldwin and Valley Boulevard would increase the store’s visibility and cause liquor sales to rise. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the matter on Tuesday.

District Supt. Duane Dishno said the school board is opposed to alcoholic beverage licenses in that area and is concerned about the type of people who might be attracted to the store.

Officials from Southland Corp., parent company of the 7-Eleven chain, said they are willing to work with the El Monte community.

“Just because a store is improved or moved doesn’t mean it will be more attractive to undesirables,” said Richard Irwin, the company’s public relations coordinator. “Our franchises continually monitor for under-age liquor sales. We need to have a meeting with parents in the area about the situation.”