HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-16, Public Comment, D. Center,Tap RoomDear Commissioners,
Please DENY Bozeman Taproom's request to expand their alcohol license to an all-beverage liquor license.
As a parent of a Hawthorne Elementary School student I do not feel there is any community or educational
benefit to having a full service bar directly across the street from hundreds of young children. In fact, I feel
it is detrimental to the educational mission of the school. The bar is easily visible (and heard, in the nice
weather) from numerous classrooms and on occasion teachers have had to adjust their activities away from
the west lawn of the school to avoid the Taproom's influence. It is absurd that teachers and students should
have to accommodate a bar. There are also concerns about children's safety from impaired patrons and
drivers as well as sensitivity to children who may experience the effects of alcohol abuse in their home
lives. Drinking is certainly part of our culture but school should be a safe haven where children are able to
focus on learning.
The Taproom owners have pointed to their $1.5 million investment in their business and focus on being a
family-friendly establishment. There is no guarantee they will always follow this business model as they
adapt to the demands of the marketplace. However, Hawthorne will always be an elementary school and
the people of Bozeman are currently investing $5.5 million to help it meet community needs for years to
come. Many of us invest even more when we drop our children off there everyday.
I urge you to strongly consider what serves the best interests of hundreds of current and future Hawthorne
students. The Taproom owners knowingly built their business directly across the street from a school and
should expect to have special conditions imposed for that privilege. It's a big city and no one forced them to
locate there. Is there any other location in the City of Bozeman where a bar is in direct view of a school?
Please elevate concerns for Bozeman's youth over that of a single business.
Please do not allow Bozeman Taproom to expand their alcohol license. In addition, please mitigate the
current situation by asking the Taproom owners to:
install screening on the rooftop to block the sightline between the school and bar during school and
after-school program hours
keep all Rouse Ave garage doors closed during school and after-school program hours
prohibit rooftop or other outside speakers during school and after-school program hours
It would be great for the Taproom owners to meet with the Hawthorne administration and PAC to figure
out a way to amicably resolve the situation and develop a working relationship for the future. To my
knowledge this has not occurred.
Sincerely,
Dan Center
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Daniel Center
409 North Brady Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715