Residents living near Motorino Pizzeria on Columbus Avenue in the Upper West Side are expressing frustration over smoke from the restaurant’s wood-burning oven. The pizzeria has been a neighborhood fixture for about seven years, but neighbors say the smoke has made their lives difficult.
Chantal Berman, a resident who lives next to Motorino with her one-year-old child, described the situation as “living inside a Dickensian chimney.” She noted that the black soot from the restaurant’s exhaust accumulates on building facades and windows, making it difficult for residents to open their windows. The soot also seeps into homes, creating unpleasant odors.
Motorino owner Mathieu Palombino stated that the restaurant has installed a pollution control system from Smoki USA. This system is designed to meet the city’s new emissions regulations, which require wood and coal-fired pizza establishments to upgrade their equipment. However, residents argue that the smoke issue persists.
Since 2017, neighbors have taken action to address their concerns. They have sent cease-and-desist letters to the pizzeria, petitioned City Hall, and filed complaints with 311, local City Councilmember Gale Brewer, and Community Board 7. Some apartments are only about 20 feet away from the restaurant’s chimney.
Berman mentioned that she and her neighbors rush to close their windows before the restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. When she forgets, she and her child often suffer from coughing fits due to the smoke.
Palombino insists that his business complies with the new emissions rules, which took effect in April. He explained that the Smoki filter system reduces particulate matter by up to 97% by cooling hot smoke and converting it into water vapor. He also mentioned plans to switch to natural gas, a process he began in spring 2021.
Burning wood is known to produce significantly more pollution compared to natural gas. Research indicates that commercial kitchens contribute to high levels of pollution, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The recent regulations aim to tackle localized pollution in areas surrounding restaurants.
Despite the regulations, some complaints about Motorino’s smoke have been deemed unfounded by inspectors from the Department of Buildings. However, a violation for potential failure to maintain the filtration system was issued in June, resulting in a fine of $1,600. Follow-up inspections showed that the restaurant was in compliance with the rules, but some neighbors continue to smell smoke.
Heather Harrison, a board member of a nearby co-op, reported having to replace furniture and windowsills due to soot contamination. “This year, I decided I cannot open my windows, except for early mornings – the pollution is just too great,” she said.
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