Commission backs amendments to permit arts and nightlife uses in RCD historic buildings

Department staff presented an ordinance to amend the Planning Code to principally permit arts activities and to conditionally permit nighttime entertainment uses in historic buildings located in the Regional Commercial District (RCD). Diego Sanchez and Monica Giacomucci described the proposal's intent to activate vacant storefronts and promote adaptive reuse of historic resources.

Abigail River Monte Mesa, appearing for Supervisor Haney, said the ordinance would help economic vitality and public safety in Western SoMa and support emerging cultural districts.

Giacomucci described staff's recommended modifications: allow arts activities broadly across the RCD, conditionally permit nighttime entertainment in historic buildings, add good-neighbor policies under planning code section 803.5 to vet operators, and require a preservation, rehabilitation and maintenance plan for historic resources that seek the expanded uses. "The department supports the ordinance," Giacomucci said.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about floor limitations and maintenance-plan enforcement. Staff confirmed the draft resolution will include the 803.5 good-neighbor policy language omitted from the copy before the Commission.

Commissioner Wolfram moved to recommend approval with staff amendments; the motion was seconded and, as amended to explicitly add good‑neighbor policy and CU conditions, passed unanimously, 7'to'0.

Next steps: staff will finalize the resolution language and forward the Commission's recommendation to the Planning Commission for further hearings and potential legislative adoption.