Downtown Restaurant Fined For Not Complying With Air Pollution Order

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – One of downtown Pittsburgh's newest restaurants got slapped with a big fine from the county for allegedly not complying with an air pollution order.

Wood burning ovens are the culinary rage in Pittsburgh. But while their high temperatures make an excellent, slightly-burned pizza crust, they've also torched a few restaurants in the process.

In recent months, wood smoke from The Commoner restaurant, inside the Hotel Monaco in Downtown Pittsburgh, has filled the offices and sanctuary of the First Lutheran Church.

"The smoke's been coming all thorough the building," said Brian Evans, of the First Lutheran Church. "Our employees have breathing it in. Our employees have been suffering from it."

In July, the Allegheny County Health Department gave the restaurant 30 days to come up with a remedy, and on Friday they fined the establishment $4,850 for non-compliance.

"They have totally not demonstrated any action, which seems to indicate that they are going to abate the nuisance," the Health Department's James Thompson said.

The Commoner had no response on Friday, but all this summer has said it recognizes the problem and has maintained its willingness to find a solution; although, it has appealed the county's order.

Meanwhile, First Lutheran's vintage pipe organ has developed a film of grease and needs to be cleaned at what the church calls considerable expense.

"It's very frustrating," said Evans. "We've heard they've appealed the order from the Health Department and it could take another year of two to resolve this, and that's just not acceptable."

While abating the smoke could require a filtering system and duct work that can run as high as $70,000 with this fine, the county says that's the cost of doing business.

While meeting those clean air standards can be expensive, the County Health Department has a message for restaurants who don't comply, start making those changes now or start paying until you do.

The county says a hearing for the restaurant's appeal is scheduled for Nov. 3.

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