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Tenderloin residents accept public apology from commissioner, press for neighborhood tour and action
Summary
Public commenters at the San Francisco Planning Commission sharply criticized remarks by Commissioner Seguaya about the Tenderloin and asked for a neighborhood tour and further engagement; the commissioner apologized and several speakers said they would accept the apology if he toured the neighborhood with organizers.
Commissioner Seguaya issued a public apology to Tenderloin residents after remarks made at a previous hearing were widely perceived as insensitive. At the Planning Commission meeting, he said the comment had been “directed to the project sponsor” and apologized to the Tenderloin community and Supervisor Jane Kim for any offense caused.
The apology drew immediate public reaction. Paul Lentz of the Central City SRO Collaborative told the commission, “We never expected you to insult our community by suggesting the operator sell drugs from his store in order to make ends meet.” Jeff Buckley of the Central City SRO collaborative urged the commission to recognize the “severe consequences” planning decisions have for the neighborhood and asked commissioners to meet residents on site.
Several speakers offered concrete conditions for accepting the apology. Lentz and others asked that Commissioner Seguaya take a tour of the Tenderloin led by community organizers; April Veneracion, a legislative aide for Supervisor Jane Kim, thanked Seguaya for reaching out and repeated the request that he visit the neighborhood. Multiple residents described daily struggles in the Tenderloin and urged commissioners to weigh local impacts when deciding liquor and land‑use requests.
Commissioners responded on the record: Commissioner Alaghi apologized to speakers and agreed to take the requested tour, saying he had not been exposed to parts of the Tenderloin and wanted to learn more. Commissioners also acknowledged community organizers’ requests for better outreach and said staff would follow up on arranging visits and meetings.
The exchange arose during the general public comment portion of the meeting and did not produce a formal board action. Several speakers said they would accept the apology if it were accompanied by direct engagement; others called for additional sanctions including resignation. The commission did not vote on personnel or disciplinary measures at this meeting.
