A Good Idea, but They Didn't Ask Permission

(Chronicle photo)

Last week we wrote about how the Hillsborough "Flintstone" House will become open to the public for a short period as a high-end sushi restaurant.

Your humble blogger wondered why the snooty community would allow such commercial use, especially since the property's owner, Florence Fang, had a history of disputes with her neighbors about the use and appearance of the house. Now that shoe has dropped.

On Friday, the Hillsborough Police Department sent the owner of the Flintstone House, Florence Fang, a letter warning her that the sushi business could be in violation of the town’s zoning ordinance.

“Restaurants and other commercial uses are not permitted in a residential zone, even on a temporary basis,” wrote Linda Stevens, code enforcement officer for Hillsborough police. “You and the restaurateurs may not have been aware that this use would be illegal. Since you are now on notice about this restriction, please inform the operators that they may not open for business.”

In a statement, the owners of Stoneage Omakase said the business has been “incorrectly classified as a restaurant, which has led to this misunderstanding. We look forward to working with the city to resolve this issue.”

The business owners said that the food will be catered, not cooked on premises. In the meantime, reservations will be canceled and any deposits returned.

Hillsborough, the home of the descendants of Bing Crosby and William Randolph Hearst, doesn't sound like a fun, welcoming place, and I'm sure the town likes to encourage that impression.