Committee duplicates 2301 Chestnut sign-district file after Planning Commission backing

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on Dec. 1 duplicated a proposed ordinance to create a special sign district at 2301 Chestnut Street and forwarded the parent file to the full Board of Supervisors. Sponsor Supervisor Matt Dorsey said the District would help “enhance this corridor and support a beloved San Francisco small business,” citing Original Joe’s as a high-traffic corner restaurant that turned a vacant space into an active neighborhood intersection.

The Planning Department’s Aaron Starr told the committee the Planning Commission (which heard the item Nov. 14) recommended approval with a modification to allow all corner commercial businesses in neighborhood commercial (NC) districts to carry two projecting signs. Starr said the department supports duplicating the file and indicated a sunset clause could be added if a duplicative citywide ordinance passes, to avoid the special district becoming unnecessary.

Scott Sheldoworth, chief operating officer of Original Joe’s, told the committee an extra directional sign “will really be beneficial” to help the public find the restaurant and to keep pedestrian pathways clear. After brief discussion about possible sunset language and duplicating the file to pursue a broader ordinance for corner commercial corridors, Vice Chair Dean Preston moved to duplicate the file and forward the parent file with a positive recommendation. The motion passed with Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Dean Preston voting aye; Chair Mirna Melgar was excused.

The committee’s action sends the original ordinance forward to the full Board and keeps a duplicated file open for future amendments to expand any permissions citywide or to add a sunset clause. The committee did not adopt final sign rules at the hearing; staff said they would work with the sponsor on the commission’s modification and any sunset language moving forward.