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Entertainment Commission approves permits for multiple venues, emphasizes neighborhood outreach and sound limits
Summary
The commission approved extended‑hours and entertainment permits for several San Francisco businesses (Happy Donuts, Mastro's Steakhouse, Dimples, St. Mary's Pub, Blue Light, Orson’s Belly), often adding the good‑neighbor policy and sound‑limit conditions; staff referred fan noise concerns at Happy Donuts to the Department of Public Health.
The San Francisco Entertainment Commission approved a slate of permits on July 16 while stressing neighborhood outreach and sound-control conditions.
Permits approved included an extended‑hours permit for Happy Donuts (a 24‑hour donut shop at Fourth Street), place‑of‑entertainment and outdoor‑sound permissions for Mastro's Steakhouse (Union Square), a change‑in‑ownership for Dimples cocktail lounge (Japantown), limited live performance and billiard permits for St. Mary’s Pub (Mission), limited live performance and billiard permits for Blue Light (Union Street), and a limited live performance permit for Orson's Belly (Balboa Street). The consent calendar also included two accessory‑use items approved earlier in the meeting.
Staff repeatedly emphasized that some complaints fall under other agencies’ jurisdictions: Deputy Director Azevedo said the fan-noise issue at Happy Donuts falls under the Department of Public Health, and DPH noise‑control officer Jonathan Piaquis offered to schedule an in‑unit sound test. "DPH plans to ensure the operating noise is within allowable levels during all times of operation," staff relayed.
Commissioners folded neighborhood conditions into approvals. For venues with prior complaints or enforcement activity, the commission required adherence to the commission’s good‑neighbor policy, submission of outreach plans or calendars to the local police station, and sound‑limit or metering conditions in staff recommendations. During the discussion of Mastro’s, commissioners reminded the applicant that outdoor sound must comply with Section 10.60.16 and end by 10 p.m. unless the commission sets different conditions.
Owners and applicants committed to outreach in multiple cases: the new owner of Happy Donuts said she will try to locate and speak with complaining neighbors; Johnny (Blue Light) apologized for the earlier citation, said he took responsibility and offered his phone number to neighbors; Maria Davis (St. Mary’s Pub) described recent face‑to‑face meetings and planned sound metering; Jem Salour (Orson’s Belly) acknowledged some legitimate complaints and said he would keep doors closed during performances and work with neighbors and ABC to manage hours.
All permit motions recorded roll‑call approvals with affirmative votes. Staff will follow up with permit holders on required conditions and next steps.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (06/18/2019): motion carried unanimously by roll call. - Consent agenda (2 permits): approved by roll call. - Happy Donuts (EHP change in ownership): approved; staff advised DPH referral and encouraged neighbor outreach. - Mastro's Steakhouse (POE with outdoor speakers): approved with standard outdoor‑sound conditions (10.60.16) and good‑neighbor expectations. - Dimples (change in ownership; karaoke rooms): approved with outreach expectations and a caution about outside promoters. - St. Mary's Pub (LLP & billiard‑parlor permits): approved with sound meter plans and neighbor‑focused mitigations. - Blue Light (LLP & billiard permits): approved with conditions after staff review and owner assurances about outreach. - Orson's Belly (LLP): approved with staff recommendations and emphasis on acoustic programming and neighbor coordination.
The commission directed permit applicants to follow up with deputy director staff to complete final steps.
