Supporters of A&M BBQ's Kris Austin filled the city council chamber this week, asking the city to pause its zoning enforcement effort against this popular restaurant
Why is Sebastopol against local businesses and shoveling money into the Barlow Bailout? How many local businesses has the city hurt? Japers - gone, after spending hundreds of thousands to renovate. Grateful Bagel has a competitor is going in next door. How long will it last? Is this planning? Toying with letting a chain grocery in town? Which of our local markets will close? Does anyone know of other small businesses hurt? Will businesses close on Main St. when the parking is removed? Business owners were not even consulted about this. Whatever the convoluted rationale and technicalities may be, a small business owner might find this threatening and a small business owner considering Sebastopol might think twice.
The smoke thing is ridiculous. Every establishment that cooks meat produces the same smoke, every home kitchen that cooks meat produces the same smoke and anyone who BBQs produces the same smoke. Eating meat cooked this way is unhealthy as well. Are we going vegan now? This is just a lame technicality to go after somebody.
Not if you live close enough to smell BBQ early in the morning - ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. Those adjacent homes do not have air conditioning. You don't know where the smoke goes. I don't believe I would like to SMELL BBQ SMOKE all the time.
And I don't believe, as you say, Sebastopol is against businesses. I happen to like some of the food on their menu.
Does it really matter if this place is 'popular'? Smoke is a serious health hazard for most people. We get enough smoke exposure from fires. The law is there for a good reason. If the owner can reduce the smoke load, great. If not, please don't make the neighbors suffer.
You're right, that's why there are air quality protections in place. This led to measurements being taken to collect data on the level of smoke and there was no evidence that there is a meaningful level of impact to the air quality. This was covered in Laura's last article about this. Also, at the meeting were several residents from the same street as the restaurant who provided anecdotal evidence that there isn't a smoke issue. Despite all of that, the owners have expressed they feel it would be better for everyone for them to find a more ideal location. So, why would we not support them in doing that while being able to continue supporting their business which is meaningful to a lot of people here?
Sebastopol needs to find a way to keep Kris here. We let Little Creaser's (very good by the way) in and can't allow an independent family BBQ? I agree that the big smokers were an issue but maybe allow the small ones again? There has to be middle ground. No businesses have thrived around there until A&M.
Have the A&M BBQ owners looked into the 800 Gravenstein Hwy North building currently for lease? Contact (415) 451-4900 Nick Egide or Matt Krupp. It seems like it would be an ideal location. There's ample parking. It would draw customer traffic like travalling visiters and local residents alike. It's worth looking into the possibility.
Why is Sebastopol against local businesses and shoveling money into the Barlow Bailout? How many local businesses has the city hurt? Japers - gone, after spending hundreds of thousands to renovate. Grateful Bagel has a competitor is going in next door. How long will it last? Is this planning? Toying with letting a chain grocery in town? Which of our local markets will close? Does anyone know of other small businesses hurt? Will businesses close on Main St. when the parking is removed? Business owners were not even consulted about this. Whatever the convoluted rationale and technicalities may be, a small business owner might find this threatening and a small business owner considering Sebastopol might think twice.
The smoke thing is ridiculous. Every establishment that cooks meat produces the same smoke, every home kitchen that cooks meat produces the same smoke and anyone who BBQs produces the same smoke. Eating meat cooked this way is unhealthy as well. Are we going vegan now? This is just a lame technicality to go after somebody.
Not if you live close enough to smell BBQ early in the morning - ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. Those adjacent homes do not have air conditioning. You don't know where the smoke goes. I don't believe I would like to SMELL BBQ SMOKE all the time.
And I don't believe, as you say, Sebastopol is against businesses. I happen to like some of the food on their menu.
Are citizens not allowed to voice their concerns?
Does it really matter if this place is 'popular'? Smoke is a serious health hazard for most people. We get enough smoke exposure from fires. The law is there for a good reason. If the owner can reduce the smoke load, great. If not, please don't make the neighbors suffer.
You're right, that's why there are air quality protections in place. This led to measurements being taken to collect data on the level of smoke and there was no evidence that there is a meaningful level of impact to the air quality. This was covered in Laura's last article about this. Also, at the meeting were several residents from the same street as the restaurant who provided anecdotal evidence that there isn't a smoke issue. Despite all of that, the owners have expressed they feel it would be better for everyone for them to find a more ideal location. So, why would we not support them in doing that while being able to continue supporting their business which is meaningful to a lot of people here?
Sebastopol needs to find a way to keep Kris here. We let Little Creaser's (very good by the way) in and can't allow an independent family BBQ? I agree that the big smokers were an issue but maybe allow the small ones again? There has to be middle ground. No businesses have thrived around there until A&M.
Have the A&M BBQ owners looked into the 800 Gravenstein Hwy North building currently for lease? Contact (415) 451-4900 Nick Egide or Matt Krupp. It seems like it would be an ideal location. There's ample parking. It would draw customer traffic like travalling visiters and local residents alike. It's worth looking into the possibility.