From: Rick Brody
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 5:52 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: A&M Barbecue
Dear Members of the Sebastopol City Council,
Like many others, I write in support of A&M Barbecue in Sebastopol. A&M’s business is in jeopardy due to complaints from some (but not all) neighbors about smoke issues while A&M is barbecuing. Some comments in response.
My wife and I have lived in Sebastopol for 28 years. I drive past A&M many times a week. I have not observed excessive smoke from the two large smokers when I drive past.
I believe that they may start some smoking in the middle of the night (for things like brisket which require 10 or more hours of smoking) when people are asleep, mostly with windows closed. So, during those times there is no arguably significant exposure to smoke.
A&M, to my knowledge, is not in violation of any laws or conditions that were required when their business permit was issued. If this is correct, it is unfair and wrong to penalize a business that is complying with the law and any use permit conditions. It is wrong to pull the rug out from someone who has done nothing wrong.
The neighbors knew that a barbecue restaurant was going in many months before Marvin originally opened the restaurant. It was very well publicized on social media, and there was a great deal of excitement about a “real” barbecue place coming to town. The time to object was before time and thousands and thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours were spent by the business owners (past and present) to get up and running.
Kris Austin is a good guy and a great corporate citizen. He regularly gives back to our community, unlike some of the large corporate stores in town.
This is just another example of Sebastopol over-regulating businesses, which drives businesses away from town. We are dead broke. Our reserve fund may be exhausted within a year. Here is a great business contributing tax dollars to our City’s coƯers. And yet, the City is ready to impose conditions that make it impossible for A&M to operate. Any number of cities in Sonoma County would welcome Kris with open arms.
I don’t know about you, but I like the smell of barbecue cooking.
As for particulate levels (an issue raised by those in opposition), have those who are complaining produced data concerning things such as the volume of particulates being emitted and the particulate levels in the air at the homes of those who are complaining or the dispersion levels due to air movement (such as that caused by wind and by cars and trucks driving on South Main Street and Petaluma Avenue?). Particulate levels alone are not conclusive as to whether there is a public health hazard. Has anyone done any reputable air sampling at the distances where the complaining parties live?
In sum, how about for once taking a stand in support of a great guy who, through a lot of hard work, has built a fantastic business that is a boon to our City and provides jobs to City residents.
Sincerely,
Rick Brody
Rick Brody
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