Planning Commission approves Farina’s liquor license and rooftop activity with conditions

The Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use request allowing a full liquor license (Type 47) and a limited rooftop garden dining area for Farina, an Italian restaurant proposed at Eighteenth and Dearborn streets in the Mission District.

Project representatives said the rooftop would include 30 fixed seats, a small herb garden for restaurant use and a plexiglass sound barrier along the Dearborn side. Landscape architect and co‑owner Monica Verengo told the commission the terrace was constrained by structural capacity and designed so the last rooftop seating would be at 8 p.m. and rooftop use would be cleared by 10 p.m.: "The last sitting will be at 8 in the evening, and by 10 nobody will be up on the roof." Planning staff recommended approval of the alcohol license but disapproval of the outdoor seating; the acoustical consultant, Charles Salter & Associates, reported that with a 10‑foot barrier measured noise from 30 seated patrons would not exceed ambient levels.

Neighbors raised concerns about intensified traffic on narrow Dearborn Street, potential noise spillover into adjacent apartments, enforcement of rooftop limits and the proposal’s valets and off‑site parking arrangements. Commissioners debated possible mitigations (additional soundproofing on neighboring facades, pergolas or enclosing elements that would reduce reflected sound, strict hours and no amplified sound). The final motion—moved and seconded during deliberations—approved the bar and outdoor rooftop activity subject to conditions requiring additional acoustic protection, limits on rooftop seating and hours, and monitoring of valet parking; the clerk recorded the vote as 4 in favor, 3 opposed.

Result: approval with conditions; staff to monitor compliance and acoustic performance as required by the permit.