Just a really sad overall story, honestly. A hard working, extremely talented small business entrepreneur brings a valued, thriving, excellent establishment into a town that desperately needs something just like that and this is the response? I know the city seems to be working on finding a solution but blaming this on antiquated zoning regulations is just such an easy scapegoat. The same city that said “oops, we checked the wrong box, nothing we can do now!” about adding Little Caesars can’t make quick updates to the rules to allow this restaurant to continue to grow? Nonsense.
Excuse the pejorative but this is prototypical Karen behavior.
Great article. I have never been to the BBQ but it sure smells good when I drive by. So basically the city is trying to kill popular local businesses while throwing our tax dollars at Barney's Barlow Bailout? How does that make sense?
Lots of people in the city are trying very hard to find the right solution - a new or temporary space - and it is amazing how many people are helping. I am more than happy to help retain our small businesses as every single one deserves our support, so I am also going to push back a little on the knee jerk reaction that we are trying to kill business. A rezoning would be very difficult. Woking with them to make a plan is less difficult.
It seems Elanor St. is the HQ for NIMBYism in town. People there have struggled mightily to block an obviously easy and safe connector between the Joe Rodota Trail and a trail through the Laguna. It's also very likely that zoning violations in the Barlow or with the hotel that will never be built without taxpayer funds would be ignored or resolved in a jiffy.
We need more small businesses thriving in our town. We should all be working together toward a solution that also supports the employees who are concerned that their jobs are at risk and the owner who is not only running a business, but who is now dealing with the emotional turmoil of being pressured to find a quick solution to something that is not a quick process. Why are people approaching this issue in such a hostile way instead of using their energy to help support the right solution. I don't understand how some people think this behavior creates community, it doesn't. It creates a lot of distance.
Let's do everything we can to make this as easy as possible and not use paperwork to push out great people from our community. We need more people like them here. Let's make sure we repair this so that they know without a doubt they are welcomed here.
Kris Austin is a man of great integrity, and is a helluva BBQ chef. I am sure he is concerned about the smoke he is causing in the neighborhood, and is working to mitigate the problem. Since it is a recent problem, let's give him time to find an equitable solution. He is a great guy, who loves this community. The City is also interested in keeping Kris in business and addressing the concerns of the local neighborhood. The Peacetown Way will find a solution.
Thank you for what I perceive to be excellent reporting! I know many of the people mentioned in this story and hope that a solution can be found to accommodate all parties! I must admit I’m a little concerned this is being temporarily moved to my jogging route (behind el Coronel) and next to my neighborhood (Village Way); but I think the prevalent way the wind tends to blow will not be into our neighborhood.
OK in all honesty we should all agree to close down all businesses dispensing alcoholic beverages, which then endangers all of our lives by producing intoxicated drivers.
If you mean prohibition, I would never consider that. I was just drawing a parallel to the complaints of the smoke from A&M BBQ, which isn’t going to kill anyone like drunk drivers do.
Just a really sad overall story, honestly. A hard working, extremely talented small business entrepreneur brings a valued, thriving, excellent establishment into a town that desperately needs something just like that and this is the response? I know the city seems to be working on finding a solution but blaming this on antiquated zoning regulations is just such an easy scapegoat. The same city that said “oops, we checked the wrong box, nothing we can do now!” about adding Little Caesars can’t make quick updates to the rules to allow this restaurant to continue to grow? Nonsense.
Excuse the pejorative but this is prototypical Karen behavior.
Great article. I have never been to the BBQ but it sure smells good when I drive by. So basically the city is trying to kill popular local businesses while throwing our tax dollars at Barney's Barlow Bailout? How does that make sense?
Actually, Tibby, I think both the city and A&M have been working pretty hard together to try to find a new spot.
Lots of people in the city are trying very hard to find the right solution - a new or temporary space - and it is amazing how many people are helping. I am more than happy to help retain our small businesses as every single one deserves our support, so I am also going to push back a little on the knee jerk reaction that we are trying to kill business. A rezoning would be very difficult. Woking with them to make a plan is less difficult.
It seems Elanor St. is the HQ for NIMBYism in town. People there have struggled mightily to block an obviously easy and safe connector between the Joe Rodota Trail and a trail through the Laguna. It's also very likely that zoning violations in the Barlow or with the hotel that will never be built without taxpayer funds would be ignored or resolved in a jiffy.
We need more small businesses thriving in our town. We should all be working together toward a solution that also supports the employees who are concerned that their jobs are at risk and the owner who is not only running a business, but who is now dealing with the emotional turmoil of being pressured to find a quick solution to something that is not a quick process. Why are people approaching this issue in such a hostile way instead of using their energy to help support the right solution. I don't understand how some people think this behavior creates community, it doesn't. It creates a lot of distance.
I do think the affected community loves A&M and is trying to help figure out the right solution.
Let's do everything we can to make this as easy as possible and not use paperwork to push out great people from our community. We need more people like them here. Let's make sure we repair this so that they know without a doubt they are welcomed here.
How do I nominate you for a Pulitzer?
Everyone go and read the beautiful piece about Kris and A&M https://www.sebastopoltimes.com/p/merger-brings-top-flight-texas-bbq?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true
Kris Austin is a man of great integrity, and is a helluva BBQ chef. I am sure he is concerned about the smoke he is causing in the neighborhood, and is working to mitigate the problem. Since it is a recent problem, let's give him time to find an equitable solution. He is a great guy, who loves this community. The City is also interested in keeping Kris in business and addressing the concerns of the local neighborhood. The Peacetown Way will find a solution.
Thank you for what I perceive to be excellent reporting! I know many of the people mentioned in this story and hope that a solution can be found to accommodate all parties! I must admit I’m a little concerned this is being temporarily moved to my jogging route (behind el Coronel) and next to my neighborhood (Village Way); but I think the prevalent way the wind tends to blow will not be into our neighborhood.
Five days gone by. Has the city solved this yet?
OK in all honesty we should all agree to close down all businesses dispensing alcoholic beverages, which then endangers all of our lives by producing intoxicated drivers.
Lol, I think we tried that.
If you mean prohibition, I would never consider that. I was just drawing a parallel to the complaints of the smoke from A&M BBQ, which isn’t going to kill anyone like drunk drivers do.