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Planning Commission backs code changes to help small storefronts, narrows outdoor-bar exemption
Summary
The Planning Commission advanced a multi-part package to streamline permits for small businesses and allow more flexible uses of neighborhood storefronts, but commissioners added a conditional-use requirement for outdoor bar uses after concerns about noise and enforcement.
The San Francisco Planning Commission advanced a package of planning, health and police code changes aimed at helping small businesses navigate permitting and fill vacant storefronts, but added a carve-out to require conditional-use review for outdoor bar uses.
The measure, presented March 7 by Ben Van Houten of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and planning staff, bundles four themes: align local health requirements to permit ‘to‑go’ retail food offerings; broaden limited live‑entertainment permits to non‑food businesses; make many rear and rooftop outdoor activity areas principally permitted (6 a.m.–10 p.m.) subject to neighborhood notification; and relax stacked quarter‑mile NC1 buffers that can block new…
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