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.
Tilly’s Life Center’s (TLC) recently raised over half a million dollars to support their youth…
On November 25, 2024, at approximately 1:46 PM, Fullerton Fire and Police personnel responded to…
OCFA fire crews responded to two significant vehicle accidents in Garden Grove last Friday, requiring…
On November 24th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Newport Beach Fire Department units NE63, NT63,…
‼️UPDATE‼️ Earlier today, our robbery detectives arrested November 20, 2024, #WantedWednesday suspect Izaya Cuellar (35)…
Late Friday night, police officers responded to Balearic Park regarding a vehicle doing “donuts” on…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Sean,
You know full well that debating an issue on this blog that will, or has, come before the Planning Commission, and violating the Code during that debate, can easily be construed by the Council as a violation "during the performance of my official duties". It's happened before, it can happen again.
In other words, you're playing with fire.
Who is responsible for the approval of such a bad design of a building?
When the buffalo wing restraunt was looking at locating there I couldn’t understand what the problem was all about. So when I was at OSH, I took a walk around the building in question. The problem was self evident.
If you have not been to the back side of that building, then you have not seen the “concert hall” design, I don’t think a freeway sound wall would have helped shield the residents living next to this building.
It is not a question of lost sales tax by Mr Mill or quality of life by Mr Tardif, but a question why such a bad design was approved in the first place.
Anon,
Sean has never been charged with a violation of the Code of Ethics, and he won't be charged this time either.
Sean Mill is wrong in his assertion that the pledge he made to comply with the Code of Ethics and Conduct applies only during performance of his official duties. The Code requires compliance with both the letter and spirit of ethical behavior and conduct befitting an appointed official representing the City of Santa Ana - and this is not limited to performance while "on duty."
When Sean Mill speaks in a public forum on matters which have or may come before his commission he puts on himself the mantle of authority granted to him by his appointment. In that capacity he is therefore obliged to uphold his pledged obligation to the standards of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Give it a rest Tardif, nobody cares what you think.Especially the city council.
To Santa Ana City Attorney - Mr. Joe Straka,
I would like to inform you of improper conduct by an appointee to the Santa Ana Planning Commission. In the course of a debate concerning medical marijuana dispensaries on the New Santa Ana Blog - Sean Mill, unprovoked by anyone, conducted himself in a manner which is in violation of the Santa Ana Code of Ethics and Conduct and not fitting for an appointed official of the City of Santa Ana. Following are the offending excerpted remarks:
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.”
Mr. Mill is entitled to his opinions and to express them in a public forum as well. However, as an appointed official of the City of Santa Ana, and having pledged to conduct himself according to the Code of Ethics and Conduct, he has an obligation to live up to the letter and the spirit of the Code. He should engage residents through rational discussion - not through a heated, accusatory, belittling and thoroughly unprofessional rant in a public forum. This type of behavior generates bad feelings and division and will not accomplish anything positive for the City of Santa Ana.
As Santa Ana City Attorney you know the following “Core Values” of the Code:
I treat my fellow officials, staff and the public with patience, courtesy and civility, even when we disagree on what is best for the community.
I work towards consensus building and gain value from diverse opinions. I conduct myself in a courteous and respectful manner at all times during the performance of my official City duties.
I encourage full participation of all persons and groups ..
(The) Code of Conduct is intended to be a reflection of the community’s values as articulated by the Mayor and City Council as they represent the will of the people of the City of Santa Ana.
The Code requires compliance with both the letter and spirit of conduct befitting an appointed official representing the City of Santa Ana. When Sean Mill speaks in a public forum on matters which have or may come before his commission he puts on himself the mantle of authority granted to him by his appointment. In that capacity he is therefore obliged to uphold his pledged obligation to the standards of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
In singling me out with his inflammatory and divisive speech Sean Mill has engaged in behavior which is in direct opposition to, and makes a mockery of, the values expressed in the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
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” - Mr. Mill does not fit that bill. I hereby request action by the City Attorney’s Office to assure that Mr. Mill no longer conducts himself in violation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Sincerely,
Mike Tardif
Unproked??? You are an effin prick and deserve everything thrown your way. Why didn't tell Straka about your alter ego or are we still pretending that you and junior are not the same guy?
Mill can be an asshole but you're just a dick.
To wheres junior???,
Mills comments singling me out and blasting me about BWW came out of nowhere. I had had no discussions going with him (and neither did junior) - the post wasn't even about BWW - it was about medical marijuana dispensaries.
wheres junior??? said:
"Unproked??? You are an effin prick and deserve everything thrown your way. Why didn’t tell Straka about your alter ego or are we still pretending that you and junior are not the same guy? Mill can be an asshole but you’re just a dick."
The difference is that I am not pledged to not be an asshole, prick or dick when interacting with residents, business and property owners of Santa Ana - Sean Mills is pledged to uphold the the values of the Santa Ana Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Mill did not say anything that wasn't true. And if the City Attorney requests it I will be happy to forward him all the comments you have made here, including those you made using the name junior and those made using your real name.
The Constitution provides free speech protection. It isn't free speech just for you.
Admin. said: "The Constitution provides free speech protection."
That is true Admin. (Art Pedroza) except Sean Mill voluntarily agreed to limit his free speech by pledging to uphold the values of the Santa Ana Code of Ethics and Conduct - and that includes not unnecessarily antagonizing the residents and business & property owners of Santa Ana.