HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-16 Public Comment - M. Vannatta - Bozeman TaproomFrom:Mara Vannatta
To:Agenda
Subject:Taproom Approval
Date:Friday, December 09, 2016 12:03:06 PM
Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Commissioners,
This letter is to show my support for a YES vote by the city, allowing the Bozeman Taproom
to have an All Beverage License. When this project came before the commissioners last year,Commissioner Chris Mehl stated the "fish out of water" is the school. He said that there were
establishments serving alcohol downtown well before the school was built and there willcontinue to be in the future.
The school district made the choice to build an elementary school on a state highway, and
across from downtown that is b-3 zoning, which allows establishments like the Taproom tooperate. While a small minority may take issue with an establishment that serves alcoholic
beverages in close proximity to where children attend school, the Taproom is well within thelaw to do so. They do not have to like it, but they should not be able to dictate and restrict
trade for downtown businesses based on their opinions and not on law.
The Taproom is more than accommodating for patrons who have young children, and whileasking to add distilled spirits, the feel and atmosphere will not be changing. To say distilled
spirits are somehow different than beer or wine is without merit. General guidance for alcoholintake defines a "drink" as 1.5 ounces of a distilled spirit, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of
domestic beer. It really is that simple.
Furthermore, some persons against this change have accused the Taproom of a "dirty trick."The claim is that the Taproom had changed its address. This is false. The business has always
been on Mendenhall. Meanwhile, the school is changing its address to Mendenhall to furtherrestrict any type of business that may try to open on that street.
Bottom line, the Taproom is within the law, and denying an all beverage license sets an
ambiguous and unsettling precedent for commerce in Bozeman. Please take into considerationthe law and the recommendations from the city attorney, the state and city planning.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Mara Vannatta
3053 Rose StreetBozeman, MT 59718