Planning Commission approves removal of 200-foot Western SoMa buffer for nighttime entertainment

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend a planning‑code amendment that would remove a 200‑foot buffer in the Western SoMa Special Use District that has restricted nighttime entertainment uses near residential enclaves.

The proposal, sponsored in part by Supervisor Matt Dorsey’s office, would principally permit nighttime and general entertainment on an identified parcel at 655 Folsom Street and eliminate the overlay buffer that extended 200 feet from RED/REDMX residential enclave zones. Madison Tam, a representative of Supervisor Dorsey, told the commission the change “promotes mixed uses in these neighborhoods, supports small businesses, and is timely.”

Audrey Marloni, Planning Department staff, said the existing buffer had been gradually reduced by multiple carve‑outs and exceptions and had become “very, very confusing.” Marloni explained the amendment would let the underlying zoning control nighttime entertainment rather than the overlay buffer, while keeping the city’s existing permit and noise control processes in place through the Entertainment Commission.

Commissioner Jeremy Braun, who spoke in favor during deliberations, said the remaining parts of the buffer now form “little islands” and that removing the overlay was a “very modest” change that leaves other protections in place. The ordinance preserves the SoMa youth‑and‑family zone and leaves in place permit processes such as a place‑of‑entertainment permit, limited live performance permits and the city’s good‑neighbor policies.

The commission voted 7‑0 to adopt the recommendation for approval; the item will move forward to the Board of Supervisors for final action. Planning staff and advocates said the amendment does not change underlying zoning where nighttime entertainment is already prohibited, and that it would help clarify where entertainment is allowed after several prior carve‑outs had fractured the buffer’s coverage.

Supporters present at the hearing included representatives of the Leather and LGBTQ+ Cultural District and the Yerba Buena Partnership. Maggie Wieland, executive director of the Entertainment Commission, attended to answer questions about noise control and permit procedures.

The commission’s action clears the proposed code amendment to proceed to the Board of Supervisors; staff said the permit review and entertainment‑commission hearings would remain the venue for community concerns about noise and operations for any new nighttime venues.