@Oregometry - Gotta love it when people demand data to "prove" things that are basically common sense to anyone whose been around the block. Have you been in a few 7-11s around the country? The stereotype of the immigrant connivence store owner was derived from reality, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.

The above commenters hit the nail on the head, but if you require formal demographic data on connivence store franchisees, I'm sure it's out there (eye-roll).

The link for above "petition" is closed, but there's a hard copy to sign at St John's Deli on Mohawk/Lombard. Or write your own letter to Bureau of Planning & Sustainability:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=45457

The design review process doesn't require public input, "so opposed neighbors' only recourse is to write their city planner with land-use zoning specific arguments: building versus lot coverage, crime, or traffic issues."- from link below: http://www.neighborhoodnotes.com/news/2011/12/another_7eleven_in_the_works_for_st_johns/

Extremely disappointing. Grocery Outlet, Dollar Store, 7-11. What are we becoming? Another 82nd street?

seven eleven can open a store any damn place they are legally allowed to. All they have to do is adhere to legal requirements of operation. Whether they succeed or fail depends on their ability to operate profitably, or a willingness to continue at a loss if they aren't successful.
The discussion that is missing is zoning. While the property a developer wants to develop for 7-11 is zoned for commercial use, that same property is in a design overlay area regulated by the St Johns Lombard Plan. The "plan' has been adopted by city council and was developed several years back after much work by the bureau of planning and SJ neighbors and businesses. Long and short of it: the proposed design of the property in no way conforms to the plan. At all. The battle will be between the developer and presumably, the neighborhood assoc. and any other entity with standing in this. 7-11 is a straw-man in this: it is between the DEVELOPER and authorized opponents. 7-11 is portrayed as the bad guy, but should they decide not to open a store in St Johns, the developer is free to offer the store to anyone.. from a business that the residents approve of, to one that they don't like,but is legally allowed for that zoning ( think adult bookstore).
The argument is NOT what business goes in there, but the design of the development and how it meets, or does not meet, City planning requirements.
If I don't like 7-11, I don't have to shop there. But that building had best meet the same requirements as neighboring developments do. No favoritism.

Everyone who attended the neighborhood association meeting was told that the proposed Sev is to open as a corporate store. There is a franchise Sev just blocks up the street with a very nice franchisee running it...so 7-11 puts in another convenience store at the expense of not only a local mart, but also an existing franchise location. And the developer is taking advantage of all the grandfathering and loopholes he can find in city code, to evade years of effort that residents and local business people have put into planning for a healthy and attractive neighborhood core. More places to buy cheap beer, cigs, and Twinkies? Got plenty, thanks; this St. Johns resident and shopkeeper can think of lots of other things she'd rather buy with her money.

You jabronis live in ST JOHNS for gods sake, until ten years ago it had (still does) a shady reputation for a reason

Hey Showstopper - That reputation is exactly WHY residents are upset about 7-11 opening more convenience stores. Most people in St. Johns would like to see the neighborhood outgrow that description.

Ugh, I used to live on Richmond a block or so from there and would have welcomed a 7-11. So not on Lombard, eh? I bet if it was on Fesseden it would have been OK though, right?