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Board reopens appeal window for proposed Tenderloin pharmacy after neighborhood outcry
Summary
Commissioners granted a late-jurisdiction request over a permit for a pharmacy at 281 Church Street following neighborhood objections about notice and concentration of dispensaries. Planning staff said the use is permitted, but the board voted to grant jurisdiction and reopen a new 15-day appeal period.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on June 30 granted a late-jurisdiction request related to a building permit issued in late May for a pharmacy at 281 Church Street in the Tenderloin, reopening a 15-day appeal period after neighbors and community groups raised notice and neighborhood-concentration concerns.
Shawn Morgan, representing nearby residents, told the board she only discovered the permit after checking planning and code offices and that the permit appeared several days before it was visible in some department systems; she said local residents have longstanding concerns about open-drug markets and did not receive effective outreach. "This is an area where prescription pills are a real problem," Morgan said, noting police and community concern about pill sales.
Permit-holder Guy Forte and Planning Department staff said the pharmacy is a principally permitted ground-floor commercial use in that zoning district and that the permit was properly reviewed (applied May 21, issued May 24). Planning staff acknowledged lag in system updates that can delay online visibility of over-the-counter permits.
Community groups and residents urged more outreach and clarity about the pharmacy—s role. David Alavos of the Community Leadership Alliance said the planning department—s review should have included more police and neighborhood engagement given the block—s challenges. After discussion, commissioners voted 5-0 to take jurisdiction over the permit and open a new 15-day appeal period so neighbors can fully review and, if appropriate, file formal objections.
Next steps: the grant of jurisdiction opens a fresh 15-day appeal window starting the next day; the permit remains administratively intact pending any timely appeals.
