Dear Neighbors

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 17^th 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 17^th 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 17^th meeting.

Contact 

If you would like to share your feelings or contribute your voice please email us at:

NFOneighbors@gmail.com