Supervisors advance change to allow more formula retail on Van Ness to address vacancy problem

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on April 22 passed on first reading an ordinance that removes conditional-use authorization for formula retail (chain stores) along Van Ness Avenue for certain lots between Chestnut and Broadway, and clarifies that a change in ownership or operator of a preexisting formula retail use that never had a conditional-use authorization is not automatically an intensification requiring one.

Supervisor Sherrill, who spoke at length in support, said the move is aimed at addressing "a crisis of persistent commercial vacancies" on Van Ness. Citing planning department surveys, she said the ground-floor vacancy rate on Van Ness was about 53 percent — far higher than the city's 7.7 percent average and higher than Union Square's 22 percent figure. Sherrill said the change would streamline permitting where spaces are hard to fill and could help restore grocery access at the former Fillmore Safeway site by removing a barrier that would otherwise require a conditional-use authorization.

The ordinance also includes a streamlining provision that would allow a new formula retail operator to occupy a site where a prior formula retail use operated without having previously obtained conditional-use authorization, easing openings for successor businesses.

The board took the item as a committee report from Land Use and Transportation; the measure was forwarded with amendments and was passed on first reading without objection.

Why it matters: Van Ness is a major thoroughfare with high pedestrian and automotive visibility; prolonged vacancies have been cited by city officials and business groups as a factor in perceptions of economic decline along the corridor. The ordinance aims to reduce regulatory barriers to filling storefronts.

Next steps: The ordinance advances to a subsequent reading for final passage. Planning staff will be involved in implementing the zoning map and code amendments.

Provenance: topicintro — Supervisor Sherrill's committee report and floor remarks (transcript block starting at 1028.79 seconds): "This legislation takes a major step towards reducing barriers to filling commercial vacancies... Planning department surveys found a 53% ground floor commercial vacancy rate on Van Ness."; topfinish — clerk's announcement of first-reading passage (transcript block starting at 1215.88 seconds): "Without objection, the ordinance is passed on first reading."