Lemme guess.....there is lots of "urban renewal" planned for that area?

The City is encouraging neighborhood comments on license renewal and transfer applications city wide.

In West Portland Park, the NA has received comment requests from both Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) and the PPB regarding a transfer application for a restaurant liquor license.

First time in almost 30 years that has happenned.

There were no negative experiences with the current restaurant owner, and the new buyer is keeping the same menu and format. We anticipate no problems with the new restaurant owner, either.

I don't think this is driven by any hidden agenda having to do with "urban renewal" activity directed at any specifc areas. I do think its a long over due and welcome change in the CoP approach to liquor licensing issues, even though license issuance / denial is a state (OLCC) function.

It would be nice to see OLCC directly involving NAs and the PPB in license issuance / renewal / transfer questions, but this is a start.

And watch out for very interesting news about the Boom Boom Room on SW Barbur near ?? 26th ??.

And watch out for very interesting news about the Boom Boom Room on SW Barbur near ?? 26th ??.

Say it ain't so!

Interesting struggle - College admins pushing to drop the legal drinking age vs. the oppressor state making it harder to get liquor licenses?

If the OLCC is actually going to start doing its job keeping their licensees from blighting our neighborhoods, that will indeed be good news. I'll believe it when I see it, though.

I wonder how the communities of Gresham and Hillsboro would feel about an urban renewal project for the "blighted" areas north of Burnside.

I was notified of this blog by Mark Sieber of Neighbors West-Northwest, and was shocked to find that so many people were unaware of the City of Portland Liquor Licensing Program. As part of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement livability program portfolio, we value and depend on neighbors for input regarding licensed establishments. The fact that some of you are unaware of our existence was very concerning. Let me tell you a bit about us…

The City of Portland is engaged in the licensing process with the OLCC for new licenses, renewals, and event licenses. Although the licensing authority is specific to the OLCC, the licensee must submit their application for a local recommendation. The City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Liquor Licensing Program (pause to take a breath) works closely with the Portland Police department to investigate new licenses that apply within Portland City Limits. Every license that is received generates a notification to the Neighborhood Association, Business Association, and coalition in addition to several city bureaus. New Outlets generate a mail out to all neighbors and property owners within 300 feet of the proposed premise. You can read more about us at www.portlandonline.com/oni and click on “Liquor Notification Program”. I have been the Liquor Licensing Specialist in this position since April, but the Notification program has been here for a decade.

Although a statutory change in 1999 effectively limited the timeline for citizen input in licensing matters, Liquor Licensing Advisory Group and neighborhood advocates such as Linda Nettekoven and Dan Anderson have worked closely with the City of Portland to lobby for citizen livability concerns.. They have succeeded in increasing the time limit for input from 20 days to 45 days for each license, and were instrumental in introducing a regulatory tool into City Code.

The Time Place Manner (TPM) Ordinance -City Code 14B.120 allows the City of Portland to address nuisance activities arising out of a licensed establishment related to the sale of alcohol. If a premise violates the ordinance, the City of Portland may require that the licensee
A) Enter into an abatement Plan that addresses the nuisance activities with the Portland Police Bureau and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement
B) Initiate Code Hearings to Limit the operations of an establishment to abate the nuisance.
The ordinance was implemented in 2004 by the ONI Liquor Licensing Specialist Kimberly Mark-Villela, City of Portland staff, and Neighborhood Advocates serving on the Liquor Licensing Advisory Group.
Currently, there are roughly 12 premises in some stage of TPM. However the Liquor License Team has evaluated over 30 premises in the last 4 months. Time Place Manner is only effective when all levels of the community are involved. Business owners, neighborhoods, the Bureau of Development Services Noise Office, the Fire Bureau, the Portland Police Department DVD and NRT Teams, and the Crime Prevention Coordinators are all partners in the TPM Process.

The renewal period happens twice a year; North of Burnside in December and South of Burnside in June. With 1100+ premises to evaluate, we count on Neighborhood organizations to let us know if they are experiencing concerns. This is the time that we can engage in problem solving, both formally and informally, to address alcohol related issues.

There is a Liquor License Complaint form available online as well at http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=41440&

***Please have your comments to us regarding renewals by November 1st so we have adequate time to thoroughly investigate the issues.***

Every aspect of this program is neighborhood involved and dependant, and we encourage anyone who wants to to get involved. Please contact me if you would like additional information or clarification.

Thanks!

Theresa Marchetti
Liquor Licensing Specialist – Office of Neighborhood Involvement
503-823-3092
Theresa.marchetti@ci.portland.or.us
1221 SW 4th Ave Suite 110
Portland OR 97204