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Committee recommends eliminating 200‑foot entertainment buffer in Western SoMa SUD to permit nighttime entertainment at select parcels
Summary
The committee voted 3-0 to forward an ordinance removing the 200‑foot buffer that restricts nighttime entertainment uses within the Western SoMa Special Use District, including permitting nighttime entertainment at 655 Folsom where allowed by underlying zoning and existing permitting processes.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee on April 21 voted to recommend an ordinance to remove the 200‑foot buffer restriction that currently limits nighttime entertainment uses within the Western SoMa Special Use District (SUD). The change would delete the buffer and associated references so that nighttime entertainment uses would be regulated according to the underlying zoning and existing public processes instead of the blanket buffer.
Sponsor Supervisor Matt Dorsey said the ordinance targets a small set of parcels, some of which are not suitable for nighttime entertainment while others (near commercial corridors such as Folsom Street) could be appropriate. He emphasized the change does not alter underlying zoning or remove existing noise‑permit processes and entertainment‑commission hearings. Aaron Starr of the Planning Department said the Planning Commission recommended approval on April 10.
No public speakers registered. Chair Mirna Melgar moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Member Bridal Mahmood voted aye and the motion passed 3‑0.
The ordinance keeps conditional permitting and public review mechanisms in place (for example, entertainment commission review and noise regulation) and is intended to simplify the regulatory regime in Western SoMa while allowing nightlife uses where the base zoning permits them.
