Ye that seems like a dumb move. Maybe aimed at not deterring anyone who might want it to be a real "fixie" but I don't think that deters anyone from buying a Mash so just seems dumb.
Shouldn't you have an almost full extension of the leg whatever riding you are doing? Obviously apart from anything off road where you want the seat lower.
if for some reason the person who dibsed the J&L chainring doesn't take it, I definitely will.