By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: June 7, 2012
District of Squamish councillors are fuming at Chef Big D’s owner’s decision to publicly deride them for his own mistakes.
Squamish, councillors say, is open for business, but not if that means ignoring or circumventing rules for one individual or a business.
For those uninitiated in the drama, Chef Bid D’s owner, Darin Stangowitz, didn’t care to ask the district if he needed building permits to expand his existing restaurant on to the next retail space.
He says it was his impression he didn’t need those permits.
“I read in the bylaws many years ago that you don’t need a permit as long as you are not doing anything to the structure,” he said.
Stangowitz said he doesn’t recall the name of the bylaw, but his interpretation called for no permits.
The district, he discovered much to his angst, saw things differently.
And so did those responsible for health and electrical permits.
So, when the district officials came asking for permits on last Wednesday, he put together last-minute drawings, and rushed to the district on Thursday.
He was told he would have to close down his business for the day.
But there, Stangowitz claims, a district official told him the closure could last for weeks, even longer.
He called all councillors and acting mayor Bryan Raiser, but no one except Ron Sander got back to him.
Worried and angry over the potential effects of a closed restaurant, he decided to call the Squamish Chief newspaper and FM Radio.
Not satisfied with the exposure, he also put up a “Squamish is not open for business” sign, along with a note decrying bureaucratic red tape.
For a few days, the site became a mini-tourist attraction, with people clicking pictures and shaking their heads over the district screw-up.
Stangowitz said he put up the posters to build public pressure because his livelihood was threatened.
“I was going to be closed for weeks to months, my livelihood was threatened, I was threatened that I was going to be closed for weeks,” he said.
That is one part of the story, councillors say.
Coun. Ron Sander said he was ‘very disappointed’ that Stangowitz chose to put up the sign. Sander said the owner decided to undertake a renovation of a public food service business without any permits.
“These permits are required in order to assure that the public is adequately protected from a safety and health perspective,” Sander said.
Sander said what is left unnoticed is how quickly the district acted even though getting permits involves time.
The file was expedited by staff.
“This is great work by district staff to assist a business owner that did not follow any permitting process,” he said.
Stangowitz says he had all the required health permits, although VCH media spokesperson Trudi Beutel says he didn’t show his plans to health authority before expansion.
The health permits were given retroactively, Beutel said.
Coun. Bryan Raiser said he is a ‘big fan’ of Chef Big Ds, but is disappointed at the tack taken by the owner, Darin Stangowitz.
Raiser hopes Stangowitz will make a quick public apology, so that “we call move on and continue to enjoy one of the best restaurants in town.”
Chef Big D’s owner owns says he realises his mistake, but he won’t apologise to anyone.
“Well, you could tell Bryan Raiser to…You could tell him…Why should I apologise to the district?”
Don Patrick says
The building codes and rules of operations with respect to renovations change daily and these are not generated by Squamish… if this owner did not realize that fact…maybe he should ask himself the question, why should the buyer of this business in the future be the person holding the bag because I did my own thing ?…. Been there, did that…Sorry, no sympathies.
Tara & Sig says
Never apologize!!!
Chef Big D’s actions are a wake up call to that bureaucracy at muni hall which is like molasses in January.
Apologize for doing what you have to do to stay in business and make a living? What a ridiculous suggestion. Our elected officials should be the ones to apologize to the taxpayers for the way they run this district.
Anybody who has dealt with the planning department, and doesn’t have LOADS of time and cash for completely unnecessary BS, knows this is the case.
Good for you Chef Big D.
Nate Dolha says
But he didn’t engage the ‘bureaucracy’, he tried to go around it and got caught… I wonder who’s code compliant project was delayed so his reno could be inspected?
MichaelL65 says
Tara and Sig, “that bureaucracy at muni hall” may very well be like molasses in January. That issue is separate in some ways, and needs to be dealt with through proper channels and NOT by business owners or home owners trying to skirt by laws. I am sure that most business owners in our town can agree that times are tough in this economic climate, but that is not an excuse for them to “go rogue” so to speak, and do whatever they want in regards to their properties. I would not call acquiring the required permits to ensure that a building is safe for the public “unnecessary BS.” Those required permits could very well save your life.
Burt says
Darin made a choice which did not work out so well for him this time. To deal with the permit process in the District of Squamish is at best a difficult process especially of late. I don’t believe blame can be laid on either party for this infraction of a rule. Clearly the people you need to get permission from are the people we gave the power to.
It should be that the District of Squamish should be asking “How can I help” but I have never heard a bully ask that question. The system can work better, I know I have been on both sides, but for that to happen there needs to be respect.
I appreciate the gamble you took Darin, hang in there, we don’t need more failed dreams by business owners when there is so few around.
Squamish says
It would be one thing if the owner (Doug) had applied for permits and was then told by DoS it would take months to get the inspection and permits – in the meantime he’s either paying for space he can’t use or risk losing it to another business (a long shot in this town). THEN he would have something to complain about.
BUT – that’s not what happened. In this particular case, the score is:
DoS (1) / Chef Big D (0)
I know nothing about building codes, but DO NOT for a moment buy the story of him not thinking he’d need a permit to knock down a wall between what was two separate businesses and expand seating for a restaurant that serves food to the public.
He’s lucky and should be saying THANK YOU AND SORRY to DoS for being willing to go out of their way and deal with him. I wonder how many people ended up with their inspections and permits delayed as a result of DoS scrambling to grease this squeaky wheel.
Sometimes people make mistakes and don’t remember something until the last minute. It’s a different story though when it’s deliberately not done and then you expect everyone to run around and fix your problem for you because you got caught.
Have the decency to apologize.
Nate Dolha says
Where is that like button… Well said Squamish!
MichaelL65 says
Very well said. I think we will be waiting a long time for that apology though.
MichaelL65 says
The owner of Chef D tried to skirt around the by laws and getting the required permits. I love this eatery, and will continue to support it, but, in this case he was wrong and the DoS was right. By laws and permits are not only to protect the public, but also the owner of the business. If something had happened in the newly renovated part, and someone was hurt, would the DoS haters still be screaming about how unfair the process is? Then they would be screaming that the DoS did not step in and ensure the business was safe.
Adriana Smith says
I do not own a home, nor have I ever owned a business, but I do know that you always need to check whether you need permits for just about anything. A permit is necessary to extend your backyard deck, so it should be obvious that it would be necessary to extend a business into another lease unit. Although I cannot say for sure, it seems likely to me that there would also be issues of electrical changes and even perhaps plumbing changes….all requiring permits and inspections involved with this expansion. I love Big D’s and am a big fan of the family, but this seems cut and dried.
Bureaucracy is part of the deal when living and operating a business in a town. Naivete doesn’t really wash here. I don’t think that taking it to that level was beneficial either to Darren, his business or Squamish in general. It’s a shame that reaction overruled here.
Elliot says
Typical Squamish. This kind of scenario plays out in the city all the time, including silly signs of frustration about red tape. It’s a misunderstanding. Don’t make such a big deal about it and nobody notices.
My question is, did they really have to shut him down and then state it (might be) weeks to open again? I’m sure the “old side” of the business could have operated while the new side was being sorted out (temporary plywood can go up in an hour). It’s the way most staff respond to issues that certainly does get people steamed up…
Citizens are the customer; and if the customer makes a mistake, there is a proper way to handle it. May both Darrin and DOS learn from this.
Patrick Blake says
As a once regular customer of Big D’s, this disregard for building codes and health approval is frightening. If he can make up his own rules what other guidlines is he not following…..food safe?? I think an apology is in order. I wonder what the District staff would say if they were allowed to speak their mind in response to this situation?
Chris says
C’mon chef, get your permits!
Jaxk says
This is ridiculous. How about all the homes (palaces) right in downtown on 3rd street and similar with 3 or 4 suites per home and the law says only 1 suite allowed? They don’t enforce the laws in those blatant in your face violations and in my opinion have chosen to pick on this business owner. Maybe he forgot to give the inspector a kickback which surely must be coming from the homes down there with 4 suites in them.