From: Patty Holden
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2026 5:22 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Corrected version—A&M BBQ PLEASE DELETE EARLER VERSION
Dear Mayor McLewis and City Council members,
We all agree that A&M makes wonderful BBQ and want their business to succeed. Most people enjoy their delicious food and leave. However, if you live or work in the neighborhood you are forced to breathe the unhealthy air that is the by-product of their business.
The Sebastopol Municipal Code 17.300.040 Commercial outdoor barbecues states, “The Fire Chief is authorized to deny a permit request or to require that an outdoor commercial barbecue be immediately discontinued if the Chief determines that smoke emissions are likely to be, or are, oƯensive to occupants of surrounding property and/or constitute a hazardous condition.”
The first smoke complaint was filed with the City and Planning Commission in September 2025 when the industrial smokers were added and numerous others have been filed since then.
A&M BBQ s industrial smokers are not allowed in the OƯice Commercial zone where they are located. The suggestion to rezone the property completely ignores the legitimate concerns of neighboring residences and businesses.
A&M BBQ has been operating out of compliance of both air quality and zoning regulations for almost nine months. The City has been in direct communication with them since January 2026.
The City has a responsibility to enforce zoning and air quality regulations. Giving A&M BBQ six more months places an undue burden on surrounding residents and businesses who have to live with the unhealthy air especially in the hot season when open windows at night are essential for cooling things down.
If A&M BBQ is unwilling to go back to the original smokers or add an air filtration system, they should be encouraged to find a more suitable location sooner rather than later.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Patty Holden