Board upholds Entertainment Commission’s conditional permit for Sheba Piano Lounge, 5-0

The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted unanimously to deny an appeal of the Entertainment Commission’s conditional grant for Sheba Piano Lounge at 1419 Fillmore Street, effectively upholding the permit.

Robert Davis, director of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission, said the appeal centered on whether the applicant had adequately posted notice prior to the Entertainment Commission hearing. Commissioners reviewed a letter from Commissioner Terrence J. Allen that stated he had seen a posted notice at the site and provided that letter for the record.

More than a half-dozen supporters — including neighborhood leaders, business owners, performers and residents — spoke in favor of the Sheba Piano Lounge. Reverend Arnold Townsend, chair of the mayor’s West End Citizens Advisory Committee, said the committee had endorsed the project. Several witnesses including Karen Babbitt and Paul Hyams told the board they had seen the Entertainment Commission’s yellow posting at the location.

After public testimony, Vice President Knox moved to deny the appeal and uphold the Entertainment Commission’s conditional grant. The motion passed 5-0.

The Board’s action preserves the Entertainment Commission’s earlier conditional permit; the official record will include public testimony and the letter used to corroborate notice.