Commission approves limited outdoor music at Yasmin on Valencia after neighbors raise noise and conduct concerns

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted unanimously to approve a limited live-performance permit for Yasmin, a Mediterranean restaurant at 799 Valencia Street, after lengthy public comment and negotiations over conditions.

Yasmin’s owner, who identified himself as Ead, and consultant Kevin Ortiz told commissioners they had conducted extensive outreach after earlier noise and compliance problems and narrowed their request to indoor music until 11 p.m., outdoor amplified sound between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. limited to four hours a day, and special-event performances in the parklet on Fridays and Saturdays plus additional special events. Ead told the commission, “I wanna follow the rules. I don't wanna break it.” Ortiz said the team “did a really strong community engagement and outreach” and were prepared to work with neighbors and inspectors.

Neighbors described a different history. Cindy Ike, who said she lives a half-block from Yasmin, testified that she repeatedly called in 2021 to have music turned down and opposed outdoor amplified music, saying it would disrupt sleep for children and residents. “I don't trust that it will happen in the future,” she said. Several other neighbors said past interactions with the business and confrontations with inspectors left them wary; Suzanne Garnier and Charity Martin urged tighter limits on outdoor dates.

Commissioners pressed both sides for specific mitigations and agreed on a compromise. The commission approved the permit with staff recommendations and a friendly amendment limiting additional special-event dates to two per month (in addition to Fridays and Saturdays) and requiring the applicant to provide a monthly calendar of special-event dates at least two weeks in advance to Mission Station, the Entertainment Commission, and concerned neighbors. Staff also emphasized adherence to the Good Neighbor policy and that permit holders must cooperate with inspectors in the field.

Kevin Ortiz said the applicant was amenable to starting with fewer dates to build trust: “We would prefer 4, but we’re open to doing 2 to start off with.” Ead committed to being on-site and handling complaints directly: “The main business line connects directly to Ead.”

The vote was recorded as unanimous in favor; commissioners present answered “Aye” and the permit was approved with the conditions the commission specified. The commission directed staff to coordinate distribution of the event calendar to neighbors who requested it.

Next steps: the applicant must complete any required sound tests and comply with the calendar-notification and other staff conditions before operating under the new permit. If neighbors or staff document recurring problems, the commission retains enforcement options and the permit holder may be required to return for reconditioning.