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Supervisor Chu’s office proposes cap on new Polk Street alcohol licenses amid resident complaints
Summary
A legislative aide for Supervisor David Chu told the Entertainment Commission that planners found about 45 alcohol permits in a six-block Lower Polk corridor and 121 if extended to Filbert; the office proposed a Restricted Use District to cap new bar and off‑sale licenses while exempting daytime establishments and restaurants.
Amy Chan, a legislative aide for Supervisor David Chu, presented a proposal to create a Lower Polk Street Restricted Use District to limit new alcohol licenses in the corridor roughly bounded by O'Farrell and California streets along Polk.
"There are about 45 existing alcohol permits in the 6 block region," Chan said, adding that the planning department’s count rises to 121 if the study area is extended to Filbert. Chan said the legislation would cap new licenses for bars and liquor stores while allowing daytime establishments and bona fide restaurants to apply for liquor service through the conditional‑use process. The proposal would also include transferability so existing permit holders can transfer a license to a new owner.
Chan told commissioners the office modeled its proposal on other restricted or special‑use districts in the planning code and is also considering density controls—distance‑based spacing rules of roughly 100–150 feet as an alternative to an outright cap. She said the proposal was introduced in late October, has been presented to the Small Business Commission, and is scheduled for a Planning Commission hearing on March 14.
Commissioners pressed for more granular data (on‑sale vs. off‑sale counts and ABC license types) and for additional merchant–resident outreach. One commissioner warned the measure could raise license prices and commercial rents citywide by constraining where licenses may be issued; Chan and supporters said transferability and exemptions for restaurants aim to preserve neighborhood businesses while addressing quality‑of‑life concerns.
No formal action was taken by the Entertainment Commission on the planning code change; Chan invited further feedback and said the supervisor’s office will continue stakeholder meetings and consider amendments based on input from the Planning Department and the Planning Commission.
