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Commission hears enforcement updates on Adobe Books, The Lookout and Big Baobab; staff recommends limited action
Summary
Staff reported on a Jan. 13 violent incident outside Adobe Books but found no basis for immediate enforcement of the LLP permit; The Lookout and Big Baobab were inspected and staff recommended deprioritizing further Lookout complaints after compliance demonstrations.
Deputy Director Azevedo updated the commission on recent complaint and enforcement activity.
Adobe Books (3130 Fourth Street): staff reported a violent incident outside the business on Jan. 13. After reviewing the business and SFPD reports and consulting with stakeholders, staff concluded the LLP permit was not activated because the event did not include entertainment tied to the LLP, and LLP conditions do not require a security plan. Azevedo said there were no grounds for enforcement under the venue's current permit, but recommended the commission could request the permit holder appear at a future hearing to consider reconditioning the permit to add security requirements for events with entertainment. Commissioners expressed concern that volunteer-run events and apparent exceedance of a 49-person capacity warrant additional oversight.
The Lookout (3600 16th Street): staff said inspectors found sound leakage previously and the business purchased new sliding doors and a sound meter; follow-up visits (including measurements) showed compliance and staff recommended deprioritizing further complaint responses while continuing monitoring. Azevedo confirmed recent complaints were anonymous.
Big Baobab (2243 Mission Street): the venue received a POE permit in 2022 and lodged a number of residential sound complaints. Inspectors made 10 site visits and found the business in compliance with its sound limits on each visit.
Commissioners discussed directing staff to bring Adobe Books to a future hearing for possible permit reconditioning and noted the practical burden on inspectors. Staff will follow due-process protocol to request permit-holder appearances when requested by the commission.
