This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to refuse to allow a pub in the Foothill neighborhood.
The decision came after about two dozen opponents of the BrewHaHa Tavern, at 2108 E. 1300 South, said at a public hearing that the establishment would cause parking, traffic, safety and noise problems.
"We are against this tavern at this location because the use is too intense," said Denise Doxey, of the Foothill/Sunnyside Community Council.
Oscar McConkie said alcohol helps cause a substantial amount of crime and accidents.
"Please save my little neighborhood," he said.
Bryce Jones, owner of the establishment, was asking for a conditional use permit to operate a tavern. He disputed that the business would harm the area and lead to parking problems.
BrewHaHa would have adequate parking, Jones said, and public parking spots on 2100 East and 1300 South also would accommodate patrons. And he said some of his customers would walk, take the bus or ride their bikes to the tavern.
Jones already has a license to operate a restaurant at the location but preferred to have a tavern instead. The pub — which would have had a capacity of 134, including outdoor patio seating — would have served beer with 3.2 percent alcohol content and deli-style food.
Before the vote, Jones told the commissioners that he would be forced to operate as a restaurant with a full liquor license if he did not get the tavern permit.
One resident, Carol Goode, spoke in favor of the tavern and described Jones as an entrepreneur who would help the community grow.
The commissioners were legally required to approve Jones' request for a permit if they could impose reasonable conditions to mitigate adverse effects of the tavern. They decided that they would be unable to control noise late at night, the hours of operation and the impact of customers parking on residential streets.
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC