Birmingham City Council sets hearings for complete streets, Texaco in East Lake

The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 13, voted to set two public hearings -- one regarding a new “complete streets” ordinance for the city and one regarding the possible revocation of the business licenses for a controversial gas station in East Lake.

Members voted to set a hearing for March 6 to consider the complete streets ordinance submitted by Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, chairman of the council’s transportation and communication committee.

Complete streets is a transportation policy that requires that streets be designed and operated to provide safe, convenient access for all users, including those who walk, ride bicycles or take public transportation.

O’Quinn told WIAT-TV that the ordinance would make the city’s infrastructure “more accommodating” to people who don't have access to vehicles.

The council also set a public show cause hearing for the regular council meeting on Tuesday, March 27, to consider revoking the business licenses, as well as the beer, wine and liquor licenses, issued to Eastlake Superette, a Texaco station located at 421 Oporto-Madrid Blvd. N.

The station has generated controversy and local media attention going back to at least 2007, when the station’s owner at the time was charged with assaulting a customer. In November 2017, a employee fatally shot a man in the store after an argument.

According to numerous media reports, some area residents wish to keep the store open as a needed convenience for the neighborhood, while some wish to see it closed, saying that the owners have mistreated many customers.

As part of its consent agenda, members voted to amend the general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2018 and appropriate about $394,000 to the city’s public works department for various repair and maintenance accounts. The money is to come from tax revenue. The item was submitted by Mayor Randall Woodfin and the council’s budget and finance committee.