HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-17 Public Comment - J. Holton - TapRoomDear City Commissioners:
I am writing you in regards to the Taproom’s request for a full use liquor license. I am a parent
and volunteer at Hawthorne School. Today, with our divided country, politicians trying to “win”
with no compromises, it saddens me to see such parallels with this issue in our community.
It appears the Taproom is trying to win with a changing address game. I feel this business is
operating with disregard for the concerns of their neighbor across the street. Please consider
the following points:
1. The intent, the heart of this law, is to avoid having taverns across the streets from schools and
churches.
2. The other drinking establishments in the vicinity of Hawthorne are not openly visible to the
school. Additionally, they do not open until 4pm or later (after school hours). The taproom is
very open! An open rooftop that directs its attention towards the school and garage doors that
open the tavern completely towards the school. The patrons consuming alcohol are very visible.
3. Over 100 students can view the very open taproom from their classrooms during the day.
4. The open lawn in the front of the school is often used for outdoor classroom space. This brings
the kids even closer to the patrons drinking alcohol.
5. Phycologists gave testimony at the last Taproom meeting confirming the negative implications
of children seeing the “normalcy” of drinking in the day and the effect on children that are
currently in a home with alcohol abuse.
6. This business was issued a limited license. It made a bad business decision to invest so much
money with only a conditional use license in hand. They knew an elementary school was
directly across the street and that there were laws in place that have the intent of avoiding their
tavern from being there.
7. The school had its new office location planned to be off Mendenhall since 2015 when voters
approved the renovation. The changing of the school’s address was on the agenda long before
this controversy.
8. Parents picking up their kids from school are now finding even fewer spots to park as patrons of
the Taproom are parking in these 20 minute spaces.
The heart of the frustration from the Hawthorne community is the openness of this tavern
during school hours. Can’t we reach across the aisle on this? Grant the Taproom a new full
liquor license but put restrictions on the tavern. The rooftop terrace and the garage doors of
the Taproom should be closed during school hours. This solution would not completely satisfy
either side, but would be a fair compromise. Even if such restrictions is not within your power, I
hope the Taproom can show some class and character and take it upon themselves to
implement this idea. Let’s not make this “the Taproom wins, and Hawthorne’s children, loses”
scenario. I hope Bozeman can demonstrate that we are willing to unite ourselves in this
community and compromise when we have disagreements.
Sincerely,
Jennie Holton