Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legacy Business Registry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic Preservation Commission approves six legacy businesses; ABS Seafood approved separately after chair recuses
Summary
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted to add six long-running local businesses to the city's legacy business registry, approving ABS Seafood separately after Commission President Matsuda recused himself; the remaining five applications were approved in a single unanimous vote.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on May 19 voted to add six long-running local businesses to the city's legacy business registry, approving one application separately after a recusal and the remaining five together.
Planning staff introduced six applications for the legacy-business registry, recommending ABS Seafood Inc.; The Delicate Daisy House of Flowers; Sue Fisher King Co.; the Italian American Social Club; Sam's Burgers; and Rainbow Grocery Cooperative. Gigi Gunther of planning staff described ABS Seafood as “a 56 year old seafood distributor, supplier, and retail company in District Three's Fisherman's Wharf,” noting the firm's ties to local fishermen and its role supplying restaurants and markets locally and internationally.
Henry Ichinose, who identified himself as a second-generation owner of ABS Seafood, thanked staff and the commission for considering the application and said the business is proud to operate on historic Pier 45. Several public callers, including a representative of Rainbow Grocery, voiced support for the applicants.
Commissioners praised the group as representative of San Francisco’s small-business fabric. “This is a really, really interesting and diverse group of businesses,” Commissioner Johns said, describing personal patronage of several nominees.
Because Commission President Matsuda disclosed a donation relationship to an organization connected to one applicant, commissioners moved to recuse him from Item 5A (ABS Seafood). With the chair recused, the commission voted to approve Item 5A (ABS Seafood, Pier 45 Shed D1) by voice vote with the remaining members; the motion passed 6 to 0.
The commission then voted to approve the remaining legacy-business applications (Items 5B–5F) together. That omnibus motion carried unanimously, 7 to 0.
Votes at a glance - Adoption of minutes (05/05/2021): Approved, 7–0. - Continuance of Item 6 (400 California St., case 2020-010710COA): Continued to June 2, 2021, 7–0. - Item 5A — ABS Seafood (Pier 45, Shed D1): Approved, 6–0 (Commission President Matsuda recused). - Items 5B–5F — The Delicate Daisy House of Flowers; Sue Fisher King Co.; Italian American Social Club; Sam’s Burgers; Rainbow Grocery Cooperative: Approved together, 7–0.
What happens next The commission’s recommendations for the legacy-business registry will be processed per the department’s procedures; the record shows full support from staff and numerous community letters in favor of these designations.
(Article based on a hearing record and public comment.)
