A cluster of Upper Beaches locals is enraged by the smoke emanating from a nearby eatery, with limited actions available to address the issue. The residents are complaining about the pervasive smoke and fumes from the Beach Hill Smokehouse, which began operations on Main Street at Gerrard Street E. roughly eight years ago, making it challenging for them to enjoy their outdoor spaces.
Kevin Lacombe, a resident living behind the restaurant, expressed, “It’s unbearable to be outside. The smoke gets into your eyes and throat.” A petition signed by 78 residents urges local and provincial authorities to intervene and halt the emissions.
Despite the complaints, city officials suggest that little can be done since the restaurant owner, Darien List, seems to be adhering to Toronto Public Health regulations. The City’s Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) division conducted an inspection in May 2023 in response to a complaint about strong odors, in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and found the business compliant with relevant bylaws.
Videos and photos provided to CBC Toronto depict a cloud of smoke engulfing the area behind the restaurant, affecting townhomes, apartments, and detached homes. Residents report the smoking episodes at Beach Hill occurring multiple times a week for around 20 to 30 minutes each time, a claim List acknowledges.
List mentioned, “We’re governed by the city. I’ve passed all the inspections; I do everything by the book. I don’t know what the problems are.” Guillermo Gabrielli, Lacombe’s neighbor who initiated the petition, seeks the installation of a filter on the smoke stack to mitigate emissions and potential health risks.
City Councillor Brad Bradford, representing Beaches-East York, acknowledges the residents’ concerns but emphasizes that the restaurant is compliant with regulations. He attributes the residents’ plight to the challenges of city living, where diverse interests coexist in close proximity.
Renan Lopes, a local passerby, commented on the varying thickness of the smoke emitted by the restaurant, stating that while usually bearable, on certain days, it can be quite dense. The provincial Ministry of the Environment, responding to residents’ concerns about potential air pollution, deferred inquiries to the city, which has not found any violations regarding the smokestack emissions.