Appeal withdrawn, no 7-Eleven

Opponents of a 7-Eleven in Claremont will be happy to hear the convenience store has withdrawn their appeal of a negative Planning Commission decision. In other words, they're waving the white flag over their fight to open a store at Mills and Foothill.

The city council was scheduled to have a public hearing tonight at the council meeting and decide whether to overturn the Planning Commission decision. The item will not be discussed at tonight's meeting and the commission's original decision stands.

It would seem that the business applicant did not like its chances of getting 3 out of 5 votes at tonight's meeting. "They could tell which way the winds were blowing with the neighborhood and on the council," as one observer commented.

For now, neighborhood opponents of 7-Eleven can claim victory over the unwanted business. The Mills/Foothill building owner will have to go back to the drawing board and find a tenant willing to pay the high rent being demanded and, at the same time, be embraced by the neighbors.

But in this economy, it's certainly not easy to attract new businesses. The city might be stuck with an empty building at that corner for several more months.

I'd love to hear some viable suggestions for a successful business that area residents would regularly shop at in that building. Any thoughts?

Applicant appeals Planning Commission decision on 7-Eleven

A business applicant wants to open a 7-Eleven in a portion of this building at the corner Foothill Blvd. and Mills Ave.

A 7-Eleven in Claremont may still be a possibility.

The proposed business owner filed an appeal with the city clerk on Wednesday afternoon. Last week, the Planning Commission voted 5 to 2 to deny a conditional use permit for the business. The appeal will give the city council the final say in the matter.

The applicant hopes to open the convenience store at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Mills Avenue. At recent city meetings, residents living in the area have expressed strong opposition to the 7-Eleven, fearing increased crime, traffic accidents and decreasing property values. Others complained about the proposed sale of alcohol until midnight so near to the Claremont Colleges and the fact that 7-Eleven will be open 24 hours a day.

City clerk Lynne Fryman said staff has not determined a date that the appeal would be heard by the city council.

7-Eleven meeting tonight

The city is hosting a neighborhood meeting tonight on a proposed 7-Eleven that a business owner wants to set up at the corner of Mills Ave. and Foothill Blvd.

On February 16, the Planning Commission voted to deny a conditional use permit for the business. But they don't have the final say in the matter as the city council will likely discuss the business at an upcoming meeting.

Most residents attending the Planning Commission meeting were strongly against opening a 7-Eleven at the location, complaining about potential crime, alcohol sales until midnight, the 24/7 business hours. They also felt the Mills/Foothill intersection is dangerous.

Tonight's meeting, beginning at 7 p.m. in city hall, will bring together neighbors, city staff and the business owner. The meeting will give the business owner a chance to a some PR work and try to change perceptions that 7-Eleven is a bad fit for the neighborhood. The meeting is open to the public.