Small-business owner tells council of persistent raw-sewage smell on Broadway near new studio

Sofia Valera, a new small-business owner preparing to open Westcore Studio at 439 Broadway, told the Millbrae City Council on July 8 that a persistent sewage odor outside her business threatens her ability to open.

"There's a very, very intense smell of raw sewage mixed with bathroom waste," Valera said from the public podium. She said neighbors indicated the problem has persisted “for a long time” and that oil and other material from the adjacent restaurant at 447 Broadway (identified in her remarks as Laka) appears to flow onto the sidewalk and into the city's gutter. Valera said she reported the issue to the city’s sewer department on June 12; she said inspector David Bocelli inspected the next day and told her the issue had been known previously and advised follow-up with code enforcement.

Valera said she followed up with the city's code enforcement team, who told her they believed the problem had been resolved but that they would re-inspect and coordinate with colleagues. She asked the council to be aware of the problem and to help secure a solution before her studio’s planned opening in the coming weeks.

Mayor Fung declined to engage in extended back-and-forth during the public-comment period but told Valera "I’m under the assumption that our director and the public works is already aware of the issue, and I'm sure they will take care of it, you know, within the protocol timeframe." The council did not take action during the meeting; Valera’s remarks were recorded during the public-comment portion and staff were expected to follow up under normal city processes.

Council members later discussed downtown code enforcement and business outreach during council comments; they emphasized education and outreach to businesses about compliance and said staff should continue transparency and communication with affected businesses.