A LETTER TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Our Concern
Last year, as you have noticed, Bay Area Catering
& Events (BAC) moved into the storefront at 3821 Fair Oaks Avenue. Since
operations began many in the neighborhood have been negatively impacted in some
form by BAC including, but not limited to:
- The
persistent cooking and grease smells
- Traffic/Parking
issues related to employees, company vehicles, and suppliers/vendors
- Noise
from ventilation fans, cleaning crews, and bay doors on vehicles that occur
before 7AM and until 1AM
- Dumping
of company waste into bins of residents
- Visual
degradation of the neighborhood with the new ‘loud’ exterior
Many have tried conveying our concerns to the
county only to be told that the business is in compliance with local zoning
codes. The attitude of the county toward the concerns of the neighborhood has
only heightened frustrations.
County Response
The
Planning & Building Department of San Mateo County has responded to
concerns in at least two letters to residents with the following justifications:
- Zoning: The property is zoned as
C-1/R-1 (mixed use commercial residential). The C-1 code does not specify the
use of a catering business, but the county is of the opinion BAC is a grocery
store or deli.
- Smell: The facility is permitted
ONE commercial kitchen and has proper ventilation. Any concerns over emissions
go to Bay Area Air Quality Management District (which in turn refers to the
county).
- Nuisance: The smells, noise, and
other externalities from BAC that are nuisances that inhibit enjoyment of
property are subjective. Even if residents find it a nuisance, the Planning
& Building Department has considered other examples of businesses and
residences co-existing as applicable to our area of North Fair Oaks.
- Parking/Traffic: BAC is meeting
current parking requirements based on its legal non-conforming status (same
number of parking spaces 20 years ago).
Please
take a moment to read San Mateo County’s full response in the other posts.
May 17th Meeting and Proposal
Peggy
Jensen, Deputy County Manager, will speak at the NFO Community Council’s May
meeting on behalf of the county.
- Date: Thursday, May 17th
from 7-9 PM
- Place: 2600 Middlefield Road,
Rooms 1 & 2
According
to the County response, BAC is due to depart from the current location within 6
months. However, the business owner will retain the use of the premises and
will open a deli/coffee shop.
We feel
that any business that comes into our neighborhood should fit the local
character and add value. At the very least, such a business should service the
residents in some relevant manner and should not reduce the quality of the
neighborhood.
We feel
it is not unreasonable to have a say in the type of business and to request a
tactful level of appearance for a public convenience located in the middle of a
residential zone because of the effects such a business can have on our homes
and quality of life.
Prior to
the meeting we would like to prepare a residents’ response with any residents
or groups currently active or interested in becoming active in this issue. We
also would like to encourage strong attendance at the May 17th
meeting.
Contact
If you would like to share
your feelings or contribute your voice please email us at:
