Commission approves Town Music Studio place-of-entertainment permit with police conditions

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted Feb. 5 to grant a place-of-entertainment permit to Town Music Studio, a karaoke venue at 1660 Geary Boulevard, contingent on police-recommended security conditions.

Miss Kane, the commission's executive director, presented the application and said Northern Station reviewed the venue and provided conditions for approval. Northern Station permit officer Dave Frias told the commission the station supports the permit so long as the applicant maintains an adequate security plan; Frias asked that one security guard be present Thursday through Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (Frias noted the packet's 4 p.m. start should be changed to 7 p.m.).

Applicant (identified in the hearing as Kyun Kim) told commissioners the venue has operated for about 20 years at the same location and that they will close by 2:00 a.m. on permitted nights. The applicant said the venue had occasionally seen after-hours activity in the past but agreed to the proposed security conditions.

There was no public comment opposing this application during the hearing. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about window sizes and whether the applicant would add security; the applicant confirmed individual karaoke rooms have windows and agreed to the guard and schedule described by Northern Station.

Outcome: after a motion to approve with the police conditions (7 p.m.–2 a.m. Thursday–Saturday) the commission approved the permit by roll call with all commissioners recorded as voting 'Aye.' Staff recorded that the applicant would not pursue extended hours at this time and that the application under consideration was only for a place-of-entertainment permit.

What’s next: staff will finalize conditions in the permit and monitor compliance as the venue begins operation under the permit.