Rules committee advances Castro Upper Market entertainment zone ordinance with minor boundary amendment

On March 17, 2025, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted to amend and continue an ordinance to create the Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone, increasing the zone’s mapped area by roughly a half‑block to include one additional business on 16th Street and scheduling the item for further consideration on March 24.

The ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, would add an entertainment‑zone designation to a footprint that includes Eighteenth Street between Diamond and Sanchez, Castro Street between Nineteenth and State, Market Street between Collingwood and Church, Church Street between Fourteenth and Fifteenth, Fourteenth Street between Belcher and Launder, and Noe Street between Bevere and Market. The legislation also affirms the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann said the zone is intended to help neighborhood businesses capture revenue from outdoor events. "This has been a long term effort over many months by business owners in the Castro who wanted to see our night markets and street fairs, and other activities, be even better than they are now," Mandelmann said. He told the committee he had circulated a minor map amendment by email that would bring an additional half‑block — one business on 16th Street — into the zone.

Business owners and neighborhood organizations spoke in favor during public comment. Chris Hastings, who runs The Lookout in the Castro, said operating in the neighborhood has become more difficult: "This is the hardest it's ever been." Andrea Aiello, executive director of the Castro Community Benefit District, said the entertainment zone would help ensure alcohol sales remain within the neighborhood: "Alcohol sales will stay in the community because people will be allowed to go in to a bar or a restaurant, purchase alcohol... and come outside and kind of stay with the party and have fun with their friends." Terry Aston Bennett, president of the Castro Merchants and co‑owner of Cliff's Variety, and several other small business owners also voiced support, saying the change would help revive post‑pandemic commercial activity.

One member of the public opposed the proposal on equity grounds, saying city attention to business incentives felt misplaced while people experiencing homelessness remain in need of services. Their remarks were made during the public comment period and were not attributed to a named speaker in the record.

On a voice vote, the committee approved the proposed amendment. Vice Chair Supervisor Cheryl, Member Rafael Mandelmann and Chair Supervisor Shamone Walton were recorded as voting "aye," and the motion passed without objection. The committee then voted to continue the item, as amended, to the Rules Committee meeting on March 24; that motion also passed without objection with the same recorded ayes.

The ordinance remains before the Rules Committee and is scheduled for further consideration on March 24; if forwarded again it will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda for a subsequent full board hearing.