As it is written, I have to vote "Yes" and "No" to the current poll. While the smoker is an asset to the business that owns it and the delicious, smoky aroma is great for creating ambiance downtown, the greasy smoke it generates is definitely a problem for the facades of neighboring business and it does reduce available parking. The real question is whether the smoker creates an un-neighborly and deleterious effect on the ability of adjacent businesses to make a profit. No one should villify the protesting businesses if their bottom line profits are reduced by the emissions of the smoker.

Is there no filter available for the smoker? This website describes how industrial smoke-scrubbers operate (http://www.wedlinydomowe.com/smokehouse-plans/smokehouse-regulations). Here's an opportunity for some enterprising Kentite to develop and test a prototype smoker-filter that could be marketed to other businesses and communities likely struggling with this same issue.

Thge beileve the parking space is actually for the said business, so who is to complain about them using their own parking space. We have polution coming from the trains running through Kent, We have construction going on every where causing polution, the Mill has polution--is the city going to ban everything???? Everyone stop complaining about one smoker and be happy that a business is doing so well and bringing business into Kent. I, of course voted Yes on the poll.

why try to run another small business out of town. come on people one parking place is every one to lazy to walk a little one day a week. i found this place about a year ago the food is great and it is a safe place to go. try finding that down by akron u . may be we should outlaw backyard barbeque and down town festivales . i guess this it what we want more laws. deal with it

Love the smoker, Those who don't in my [way of thinking,] can go fish.

It gives some variety downtown. I understand there are some aspects that can be problematic due to the close proximity of other businesses, but is it really that bad once a week? Once a week. Really.

When will council let this die!? The people want it, the business has played by their rules, and it's great for downtown. Can we please move on?

As a sidenote to Laura's comment, a smoker like that does not produce a greasy smoke. Look at the front of the Tavern- it looks fine. No way it could effect something down the street if it wasn't effecting the building 10ft away from it.

I totally agree with Gary Michaels. Let's move on, shall we?

I think the owners of the restaurant are as brilliant and innovative as they are handsome and charming. They do nothing but bring us great food and spirits to a downtown that is trying to re-establish itself as a colorful and delightful destination.

The Building Code States that all grease laden smoke must be filtered and is not to be expunged over city sidewalks. This has prevented others from doing similar things in the past at great expense. Also, If this one businesses activities negatively effects another, how can it be allowed to continue? There is no problem with smoking the meats elsewhere and then delivering them.
As a downtown resident, The smoke stinks up my apartment and is not a great way to wake up on a friday.

Many people love the smoker, others have no opinion one way or another, and others simply hate it. This is the way the world goes 'round, not everyone can get their way, and the only way to deal with it is tolerance (aka grin and bear it).
So those who love it wait all week for the goods the smoker puts out and enjoy the smoke wafting through town. Others who may not eat there haven't been inconvenienced in any real way by either the smoke or the lack of one lone parking space, so they don't see an the big deal, especially one day a week. Others, for various reasons, hate the smoker and want it gone, end of deal, no ifs-ands-ors-or-buts. It's easy to see all sides on this one, but it is only one day a week. If it were smokey on Water St. day in and day out (night, too), I could definitely see how people could get a bit fired up over it. One day a week seems like a pretty tasty compromise. Appreciate that you know what day the smoker is making an appearance and can prepare/act accordingly.
This all being said, I don't eat/drink at Cajun Dave's and probably never will, and I walk from my house to downtown so the lack of one parking spot doesn't bother me. I'm one of those middle of the road people who just can't see what the big fuss is all about.

all the comments make good points though. I'm sure innovative, peace-seekers will find a solution that appeases everyone.

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I think that they should be able to operate it seven days a week if they like. Kent is still located in America. And the amount of pollution caused by that delicious food cooking is insignificant compared to the trains and construction. Nothing an occasional rain or power washing wont clean off...

The patina of grease is a very unpleasant sight of the face of buildings in Downtown Kent. The patina of grease is also a fire hazard. I am sure that the eatery owners will agree. Steam cleaning might get some grease out. A downtown fire will get the commerce out