Suzy Ageton George Karakehian KC Becker Tim ... - City of Boulder

This e-mail is in regards to the plans to build a brewery and 300 person restaurant next to the
Boulder Country Day School. I have great respect for both the school (where one of my sons
attends) and Avery Brewery. I write this because I have directly relevant experience to what it is
like to run a business next to a school. Boulder Prep School purchased the commercial
condominium directly adjacent to the commercial condominium where my business. We are
located only 3000 feet from the proposed development of the Avery facility next door to BCD.
Running my business next to a Boulder Prep has been very challenging. The students wonder
around the building, climb on and over anything including: cars, trucks, tools, storage containers,
and even on the roof. They run out into the street chasing one another; they put on headphones
and walk out into the street in a daze oblivious to oncoming traffic; and then the yelling begins
between the drivers and the students. In fact, one of the students was hit by a car crossing the
road recently.
As you may know, traffic is already heavy around the BCD school. As much as you try to watch
children, they often can get away from you (especially preschool and grammar school children)
and I can't overestimate the danger from having school traffic combined with the traffic from
what will have to be the largest restaurant for miles. Of course, traffic is also a danger with
children, but inject alcohol into the situation and I think the only logical conclusion is that this
will be a dangerous situation. Indeed, I was somewhat shocked that there is not legislation or
zoning to address such a situation.
It seems clear to me having lived next to the school now for 5 years that a large scale brewery
with semi and delivery trucks coming and going combined with 300 person restaurant serving
customers drinking is a bad mix. Add to that the smells and odors form the brewery traveling
downwind towards the school and it seems unfair to the school that has built an organization for
15 years and now would likely be run out of their location because of a zoning changes. It also
seems short sided of the brewery to want to be next door to a school.
I’m sure that Avery is struggling to find a place to move in the city. Indeed I have been trying to
find a place to move for over two years to escape the school that moved in next door to me, but
Boulder’s rules and regulations combined with the high price of real estate make it very
challenging to find a place to move and stay in the city, so I feel for both Avery and BCD. That
said I don’t think they are a good fit to be neighbors.
Thank you.
Ty Melton
Dear Planning Board Members,
As a parent of a child at a nearby school, and frequent user of the Boulder County Open Space
within Twin Lakes Office Park, I am writing to add my name to a large list of concerned families
who have just been made aware of the possibility of Avery Brewery Company building a large
industrial facility and tap room restaurant on Nautilus Court in Boulder,
Agenda Item 5B Page 42