Planning Commission approves Double Dutch—s DJ permit with conditions after months of complaints

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously May 10 to grant a conditional entertainment permit that will allow DJs at Double Dutch, a Mission District bar at 3192 Sixteenth Street, after hearing hours of testimony from neighbors, business owners and the project sponsor.

Planning staff had recommended denying the permit, citing numerous police noise complaints and what staff called a lack of good-faith operation in the past. Jeremy Paul, attorney for the project sponsor, argued the venue had met the commission—s previous directives: it provided a sound study, installed a limiter, closed the back patio to patrons and made other sound-mitigation changes. "They have not been cited for noise," Paul told commissioners when discussing recent inspections and the bar—s mitigation work.

Patrons, DJs and multiple small-business owners from the Mission showed up in force to support the application. Jane Lindgren, who lives adjacent to the rear yard, said mitigation has reduced the problem but asked for enforceable safeguards: "My concern is that the level of noise that is happening now be maintained," she said.

During deliberations commissioners pressed for enforceable, measurable protections. The commission adopted a motion of intent to approve with conditions that include: a requirement the rear yard remain closed to patrons; a six-month report from the Entertainment Commission and a one-year follow-up to the Planning Commission; limits on outdoor activity and amplification; a management plan to maintain sidewalks and pickup discarded containers; provision of a local contact phone number for neighbors; and restrictions on late-night outdoor queuing. The conditions also incorporate Entertainment Commission standards for measurable noise limits and require professional sound-insulation work and a ventilated interior smoking room if needed to reduce neighborhood impacts.

Commissioner Bill Lee, who supported approval, said the Entertainment Commission enforcement regime gives neighbors stronger recourse than remaining outside that jurisdiction. "If they're under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Commission there are sound inspectors who can go out at 2 a.m.," he said.

Supporters emphasized public-safety and employment benefits. Co-owner Nate Valentine said an entertainment permit would enable the business to add shifts and hire more staff. Opponents cautioned that enforcement would be key; several residents asked the commission to require a local manager phone number so problems could be reported in real time.

The commission—s action is a motion of intent to approve; staff will prepare final resolution language and conditions to return for final action on the next regular meeting date.