Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permits Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Entertainment Commission approves two new POE permits; enforcement report cites repeat sound violations
Summary
The commission heard enforcement updates including a citation for Hotel Via after readings showed sound 10 dB over its limit, received JAM-permit application statistics, and unanimously approved place-of-entertainment permits for a karaoke operator at 1660 Gary and a cultural venue at 2512 Mission.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Nov. 17 approved two place-of-entertainment permits and heard staff reports on enforcement and the city’s JAM permit rollout.
Executive Director Weiland reported on the Just Add Music (JAM) permit program and said the office had received 143 JAM applications since launching Sept. 25, issued 85 approvals, found 18 applications ineligible and had about 40 still in review. "So it's been nearly 2 months. We have sent out 85 approvals for jam permits," Weiland said, and staff described recent outreach and application-streamlining work intended to reduce duplicate uploads and clarify eligibility requirements.
Deputy Director Azevedo reviewed enforcement activity tied to permit and health-order compliance. Azevedo said the office had logged 92 complaints since the JAM program began and highlighted several businesses. The Midway’s street-closure activation raised sound and health-order concerns; staff said a JAM permit review and a set sound limit are pending. The Blue Light received a notice of violation for indoor TVs and later obtained a JAM permit. "Most recently, Hotel Via was found operating in excess of 10 decibels above their sound limit ... a citation for Hotel Via was issued on November 10," Azevedo said; staff reported working with management, who said a DJ had been operating outside rules and that the venue had installed a limiter and received repeated inspector assistance.
Commissioners then considered two permit applications. The first was an ownership-change application at 1660 Gary Boulevard (formerly Town Music Studio) for a karaoke business proposed by Edmund Chang/Edmond Chen, doing business as KTV Box. Azevedo said neighborhood outreach produced 16 letters of support and Northern Station had no objections. Commissioners moved to approve with staff’s Good Neighbor Policy; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
The second permit was for Arcana (listed in the file as Arcana/Arkana) at 2512 Mission Street, presented by Nas Waram. The applicant said the venue would focus on live instrumental performance, dance, poetry and community gatherings and submitted a conditional-use approval plus about 125 letters of support and endorsements from Mission Economic Development Agency and Mission Merchant Association. Commissioners approved the permit with the Good Neighbor Policy by unanimous voice vote.
Staff and commissioners emphasized that enforcement remains focused on bringing venues into compliance and distinguishing entertainment-permit violations from separate health-order enforcement that may involve other city departments.
