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Entertainment Commission hears enforcement report on unpermitted venues and noise complaints
Summary
Deputy Director Azevedo told the commission that El Trabull is operating without required permits and that several venues prompted noise or loitering complaints; staff described sound-limit practices including C-weighting for bass.
Deputy Director Azevedo told the San Francisco Entertainment Commission that enforcement staff had several venues on their radar, including one business operating without required permits. "El Trabull is not permitted by us, nor are they zoned for a place of entertainment," Azevedo said, adding that the venue also did not have an active health permit and that staff had received three complaints.
Azevedo also reported that Oracle Park generated a handful of complaints following a fireworks event but that the venue had complied with its internal fireworks policy and new ordinance on ending times. On a separate matter, a venue in the RS 94109 area held its first weekend 2 a.m. event; Inspector Savino conducted a field check, noted compliance with security requirements and an approximate crowd of 35 people, and reported loitering complaints from residents of the nearby Heartland Hotel.
Commissioners asked technical questions about how staff set enforceable sound limits. When asked what a "C weighted limit" means, Azevedo explained the agency's practice: "the a weighting is for volume and the c weighting is for bass." He said older permits often lacked C-weighted limits and staff are reissuing sound limits to account for bass complaints.
Staff described repeated outreach to nearby businesses. Azevedo said venue owners had attempted to coordinate with adjacent businesses' security (for example, Kung Fu Laundry) but that loitering problems persisted; inspectors plan to attend future mediation meetings between venue owners and hotel residents. Inspector Fiorentino was cited as continuing targeted checks in cluster areas where multiple venues are adjacent.
The commission did not take formal action on enforcement items at the meeting; staff said they would continue inspections, follow up with venue owners, and pursue permit or health-code remedies where appropriate. The enforcement report closed with no public comments on the item.
