A cluster of residents in the Upper Beaches neighborhood is upset about smoke originating from a nearby eatery, yet local authorities seem limited in their ability to address the issue. The residents claim that the pervasive smoke and odors emanating from Beach Hill Smokehouse, which commenced operations on Main Street at Gerrard Street E. nearly eight years ago, are so overwhelming that they cannot enjoy their outdoor spaces.
Kevin Lacombe, a resident residing in a townhome situated behind the restaurant, expressed, “It’s intolerable to be outside. The smoke is irritating, affecting your eyes and throat.” He is among 78 residents who have signed a petition urging local and provincial authorities to intervene and halt the emissions.
However, city officials suggest there may be little recourse to address the grievances, as it appears that the restaurant’s proprietor, Darien List, is adhering to regulations set by Toronto Public Health. According to city staff, following a complaint regarding strong odors, the City’s Municipal Licensing and Standards division conducted an inspection of the business in May 2023, in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, which included a review of the property’s ventilation system discharge. The inspection concluded that the business was compliant with relevant bylaws enforced by the City.
Videos and images provided to CBC Toronto depict a thick blanket of smoke enveloping the area behind the restaurant, where various types of residences are located. Residents assert that the smoking episodes at Beach Hill occur multiple times a week, lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes per occurrence. List confirmed this frequency.
Despite this, List expressed confusion over the residents’ complaints, stating, “We operate in accordance with city regulations. I have successfully passed all inspections and adhere to all guidelines.” Lacombe’s neighbor, Guillermo Gabrielli, who initiated the petition, highlighted that it was submitted to Toronto Public Health, Mayor Olivia Chow, local councillor Brad Bradford, and provincial representatives around two weeks ago, with no response received thus far.
Gabrielli, a resident of a townhome behind the restaurant for 25 years, advocates for List to install a filter on the three-meter-high smokestack to mitigate smoke and potential emission of hazardous substances. Bradford acknowledged the situation, expressing sympathy for the residents, yet reiterated that the restaurant is compliant with regulations, attributing the residents’ plight to the nature of living in a bustling metropolis.
Passerby Renan Lopes mentioned witnessing varying degrees of smoke density emanating from the restaurant during his daily walks with his dog. While the smoke is usually tolerable, Lopes noted that on certain days, it can be quite dense, stretching about a block and hovering around a meter above the ground. Provincial Ministry of the Environment was contacted by CBC Toronto to address residents’ concerns about potential harmful emissions from the stack, with the Ministry directing inquiries back to the city, which confirmed no violations had been discovered.