Planning Commission to revisit Boxcar Theatre alley use after residents report ongoing problems

The Planning Commission directed staff to schedule a follow‑up hearing in about six months that would be formally noticed as a potential revocation or amendment of conditions for Boxcar Theatre’s conditional‑use authorization at 644 Broadway, after residents and commissioners described continuing problems in the adjacent Rexroth/Tracy Place alley.

At an informational check‑in, department staff said Boxcar had generally complied with conditions attached to its authorization, but multiple residents described ongoing noise, late‑night smoking, gate access problems and construction‑related disturbances that they said were caused by multiple businesses operating out of 644 Broadway. Boxcar producing partner Nick Oliver told the commission the theatre complies with conditions and has worked with alley residents; he said the venue needs rear access to seat patrons efficiently and has tried mediation and direct conversations with residents.

Commissioners asked staff to return with a report in six months that would allow the commission to consider modifying or revoking the conditional‑use authorization if evidence shows violations persist. The motion—intended to give the parties time to improve compliance while preserving the commission’s ability to act—passed 4–2, with Commissioners Melgar and Moore in opposition. Commissioner Johnson said the commission must be prepared to move to a revocation hearing if the next report shows the problems have not been addressed.

What happens next: The commission asked staff to coordinate with the district supervisor’s office, DPW and the entertainment commission, and to include the alley’s gate history in the next report so commissioners can consider the full set of remedies at a noticed hearing.