The world’s largest Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and sports bar opened to the public at 260 S. Brea Blvd. in Brea, on Monday, May 23. Backed by local investors including several Southern California baseball and football players, the new $5 million restaurant is the latest redevelopment effort for downtown Brea by local business owner and former sports agent, Dwight Manley, who grew up in the town, according to Restaurant News.
Did you know that a Buffalo Wild Wings was going to open up in Santa Ana, over by Orchard Hardware on 17th and Tustin, back in 2008? That didn’t work out though as a handful of NIMBY residents in the northeastern part of Santa Ana protested the establishment’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP.) Eventually the owners of the proposed restaurant cleared out of town, abandoning all hope of ever being able to open for business here in Santa Ana.
Here is what the NIMBYs’ leader, Mike Tardif, posted about their protest on the Orange Juice blog article about the ill-fated Santa Ana Buffalo Wild Wings:
Dear Mayor Pulido and Members of the Santa Ana City Council:
We hereby request that the City Council call a public hearing concerning the alcohol (ABC) Conditional Use Permit granted to Buffalo Wild Wings, by the Planning Commission, for on-site sale of alcoholic beverages.
The residents of Parkwood, Meredith and Portola neighborhoods are very concerned that the negative effects of this “sports bar” on their neighborhoods have not been properly taken into consideration.
Respectfully submitted by,
Tom Childress
Kathy Ingersoll
Lee Ingersoll
Brad Day, Board Member Meredith/Parkwood HOA
Andy Martinez
Emmy Martinez
George R. Staff
Chrissy Staff
Rick Legowski
Peggy Legowski
Mike Tardif
Mercedes Tardif
Bridget Tardif
Tony Diaz
Jose Diaz
Carolyn Diaz
Muriel McCormick
Celesta Severtsen
Michael Severtsen
Jimmy Kabaian
Thomas Accongio
Nadine Accongio
Maria Cabrera
Milo Van Beck
These people are probably proud of themselves. But what did they accomplish? They cost our city jobs and tax revenue. The newspapers are praising the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Brea today – but it should have been ours, here in Santa Ana, were it not for the selfish actions of a handful of NIMBYs. What a shame.
So do you want to know what you missed out on fellow Santa Ana resident? Here’s a few comments about the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Brea, from their Yelp page:
Yep. We could have had a Buffalo Wild Wings in Santa Ana. But the NIMBYs killed it…and now it is in Brea instead. Go figure.
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Hey Childress!!!
How exactly is Mills wasting your time? Did he force you to comment here? Did he make you read this blog? You chose to come here on your own so nobody but you is wasting your time. You and the others are the reason this wings place isn't here not Mills. I can only pray that the city leaders would never put someone with your vast knowledge and expertise on the PC. An idiot like you would close us down for new business and development. Mills is at least trying to do something.
childress you are the one who needs an economics lesson. you ran good jobs and big tax dollars out of santa ana. thats just stupid and arrogant.
Mr. Childress,
As a Commissioner I am obligated to uphold the law, the constitution of the state of California and the constitution of the United States. I serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and City Council.
In the case of Buffalo Wild Wings I did not break any laws and the position I took and stand by is one that I believe was in the best interests of Santa Ana. You disagree with my position, which is your right, but that does not mean that I have violated any laws. And as I recall, the overwhelming majority, if not all, of my fellow commissioners supported the position I took.
I did reach out to those behind the efforts to bring BWW to our city in hopes of keeping them here. Unfortunately their plans were set on that location and when things went sideways they decided not to come to our city.
As far as your claim that I am somehow wasting someone's time I disagree completely. I am here to have an open and thorough discussion of the issues. I think this openess leads to a more transparent process which I think leads to a better governmental structure.
I suppose we could do things the old fashioned way and discuss the issues behind doors in secret, but I think that we should use these new forms of media to further the discussion. I am sorry that you disagree with my wanting an open and transparent discussion on the issues.
I agree when can learn from Brea and what they are doing. Jay Trevino and Karen Haluza worked in Brea and played major roles in the developments there. We must also remember that we are not Brea or Irvine or some other place, we are Santa Ana.
Admin
Regarding the recent misinformed slur on my fellow neighbors regarding Wild Bill Buffalo Wings fiasco, ponder for a moment where the Planners at Brea put the business-DOWNTOWN in a business environment away from any residents!! Look and Learn.
It was not a matter of the business, but rather the operation of that business in close proximity to residences.
Gold’s Gym took over the space. A highly respected establishment. They will be a long term tenant and provide a better image than another sports bar.
Land Use decisions are much deeper than you address. You speak to the economics without having the foggiest idea what you are talking about. Your politics are nothing deeper than throwing unsubstantiated slurs and postings on this anonymous blog. These are the same tactics used by little children, before we growing up as responsible adults.
I only hope that your exposure to thinking people will provide the fodder that relegates you and your minions to background noise.
Thomas Childress
Sean Mill said:
“As a Commissioner I am obligated to uphold the law, the constitution of the state of California and the constitution of the United States.”
As an appointed official you are also obligated by your pledge to comply with the provisions of the Santa Ana Code of Ethics and Conduct, including the following provisions:
SHOW RESPECT FOR THE PUBLIC
Treat the public with patience, courtesy and civility, even when we disagree on what is best for the community.
To work towards consensus building and gain value from diverse opinions.
To conduct myself in a courteous and respectful manner at all times during the performance of my official City duties.
To encourage full participation of all persons and groups.
How do you square your pledged obligations to the Code with the following statements which you made, without provocation, in direct reference me?
Sean Mill on May 24th: “Speaking of Buffao Wild Wings … We could’ve had one of these fine establishments here in Santa Ana but a small handful of folks including … Mike Tardif caused the applicant so many problems that they packed up and left.”
“So it is not just medical marijuana dispensaries that Mike Tardif has an issue with, he seems to scream “NO” at new businesses in general. How does he expect us to generate any revenue if we chase all the businesses out of town? I thought he was a small government, anti-tax, Republican. It appears to me that is is nothing more than your typical NIMBY from the “Coalition of No”.”
Sean Mill on May 25th: (in ref. to Mike Tardif) “Standing in opposition to everything and constantly acting as a contrarian to the actions of our great council majority is not going to help move our city forward. The fact that you disagree with my position and have a very hostile hatred of me does not equal a violation of the ethics code.”
As a resident, property and business owner in Santa Ana I feel that it is important to work with representatives of the City who treat the public with “patience, courtesy and civility and work toward consensus building.“ You Mr. Mill do not fit that bill - you make a mockery of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
I hereby request action by the Santa Ana City Council to assure that Mr. Mill no longer conducts himself in violation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Mike Tardif
Mike,
In no way did any of those statements violate that code of ethics. Please share with me what you find so offensive and false about those statements.
I was not disrespectful to you then and I have not been disrespectful to you or Mr. Childress throughout this entire discussion we have had here today.
Get over yourself already Tardif you sanctimonious prick.You are the most uncivil and disrespectful troll in all of blogland USA.
I never said that anything you said was false.
If you cannot recognize your violations of the SA Code of Ethics and Conduct then that is another reason that you do not belong in a position of authority representing the City of Santa Ana.
wheres junior???
Posted June 9, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Get over yourself already Tardif you sanctimonious prick.You are the most uncivil and disrespectful troll in all of blogland USA.
I am right here - I can say that you are right on with your criticisms and thank you for the high praise.
Mike,
I am not alone in being at a loss when it comes to your allegations that the code of ethics was violated. Others were left scratching their heads as well. I believe you said there were at least six violations of the code. Can you make a legitimate case for even one?
I ask you this in an effort to further civil discourse. What do you see as a violation of the code of ethics? Please share see we can all learn.
Was it a violation of the code of ethics when a former commissioner from the Parks and Rec Board attacked Art Pedroza on a website and referred to him as an "ass"? I don't recall you speaking out about the code then. Please enlighten us.