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After heated hearing, Planning Commission asks staff for data and continues Penthouse Club 4 a.m. request to Oct. 25
Summary
The Commission heard more than two hours of testimony for and against a conditional use request to extend Penthouse Club's hours to 4 a.m. Neighbors flagged livability and precedent concerns; supporters cited jobs and safety. Commissioners directed staff to prepare both approval and disapproval motions and continued the item to Oct. 25.
The Planning Commission on Sept. 13 heard extensive testimony about a conditional use request to extend operating hours for the Penthouse Club at 412 Broadway from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Planning staff recommended disapproval, citing potential detrimental effects on nearby residents. After two hours of public testimony from neighborhood groups, club employees, business associations and community organizations, commissioners voted unanimously to continue the matter to Oct. 25 and asked staff to prepare both approval and disapproval motions along with additional data.
Andrew Perio of the Planning Department told the commission the Broadway Neighborhood Commercial District includes late‑night entertainment uses but cautioned that extended hours could have detrimental effects for nearby residents if not carefully conditioned. "Given the nuisance activity associated with entertainment uses generally, it is difficult to see how adequate conditions could be adopted to ensure that there are not detrimental effects," Perio said.
Supporters — including employees and community partners who credited Penthouse with charitable giving and neighborhood security investments — asked for a trial period or conditional approval. Paul Weber, representing Telegraph Hill neighborhood groups, summarized opposition, saying extended hours "would negatively impact the overall livability in the area" and warned of precedent if multiple venues pursue the same change.
Commissioners debated nuance, precedent and oversight. Several members said they were open to a pilot or look‑back, requested police data on nearby venues already open to 4 a.m., and sought clarity about proposed measures and metrics to judge success. The commission directed staff to prepare both an approval motion (with proposed conditions and a look‑back) and a disapproval motion and continued the hearing to Oct. 25, 2018. Commissioners asked staff to include police data, studies on staggered closing times and analysis of pending State legislation on later alcohol service.
