Portland city leader pauses odor complaints to restaurants [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio has paused odor complaints in the city relating to food establishments after the owner of Vietnamese restaurant in Northeast Portland was forced to close down due to mounting fines.

Vietnamese restaurant Phở Gabo had been operating at Fremont Street and Northeast 74th Avenue for five years. But on Feb. 3, the owner closed its doors. 

Owner Eddie Dong said repetitive complaints from a nearby resident about the smell of cooking meat coming from the restaurant turned into a $900 fine. 

Within Portland city code, “continuous, frequent or repetitive odors may not be produced” by restaurants.

In a statement from Commissioner Carmen Rubio’s office, her Chief of Staff Jillian Schoene said, “Commissioner Rubio is very concerned and is raising serious questions about the negative impacts of this policy.”

On Wednesday, five Vietnamese American state legislators …