Dozens of speakers urge planning commission to preserve Sanchez Art Center as rezoning package moves forward

Dozens of Pacifica residents, artists and small‑business owners used the public‑comment period May 19 to urge the Planning Commission to preserve the Sanchez Art Center, the Mildred Owen Concert Hall and associated campus spaces while the city’s housing‑element rezoning package is reviewed.

The most repeated request—raised by gallery volunteers, arts‑organization leaders and longtime residents—was that the city retain the center’s studio, gallery and performance functions as part of any future plan for the site (identified in the rezoning materials as Site 23). Speakers described the art center and concert hall as regional cultural assets that draw visitors, support small businesses and provide youth and senior programming.

“Preserve the Sanchez Art Center site as it is now, with the art studios, the galleries, and the concert hall,” said Julie Stock, who identified herself as a Pacifica homeowner and frequent art‑center patron. Several speakers echoed that appeal and described personal experiences: Renee Blanco said the center helped her husband engage socially through painting; Corinne Andreatta, a local art‑studio owner, told the commission the center “provides irreplaceable cultural education and economic benefits.”

“Arts equal visitation. Arts equal commerce,” said Steven Johnson, a long‑time studio tenant, who said his workshops had drawn significant visitors and revenue to the local economy.

Requests to protect the art center’s current uses were accompanied by protracted technical questions from residents about…