Court Opinion

ID: 9548418
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 18:03:06.616886+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:18:55.041456
License: Public Domain

THORNTON, J.,
dissenting.
Petitioners are seeking to obtain a Retail Malt Beverage Class C license to serve beer and wine at their restaurant, which is located across the street from the campus of Oregon State University (OSU).
There was testimony that the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) has granted one or more Retail Malt Beverage Class C licenses to similar establishments adjacent to the University of Oregon campus (and possibly Portland State University also), and that such establishments are presently serving beer and wine. The state does not deny this. From my examination of the record, I can find no rational basis for granting these licenses but denying a license adjacent to OSU. Absent a showing by the OLCC of a rational basis for this distinction I believe that the OLCC’s order of denial is contrary to law and not supported by substantial evidence. Oregon Constitution, Art I, § 20;1 ORS 183.482(8)(a), (b) and (d). Therefore, I would reverse and remand for further consideration of petitioner’s application. See, Home Plate, Inc. v. OLCC, 20 Or App 188, 190-91, 530 P2d 862 (1975); 45 Am Jur2d 508-09, Intoxicating Liquors, § 31 (Uniformity, Discrimination) (1969).

 Art I, § 20, Oregon Constitution, provides:
"No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.”