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Committee backs ordinance to limit new restaurants and bars in Jackson Square
Summary
The committee forwarded an ordinance to the full board that would require conditional‑use review for new restaurants, limited restaurants and bars in Jackson Square to protect existing retail and prevent over‑concentration of eating‑and‑drinking establishments.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced an ordinance that would amend the planning code to require conditional‑use review for new restaurant and bar uses in the Jackson Square Special Use District and related neighborhood commercial districts.
Diego Sanchez of the Planning Department told the committee the Planning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend the ordinance without modification, finding the existing retail mix and low vacancy in Jackson Square should be preserved. Peskin said the measure mirrors controls used elsewhere in the Northeast portion of the city and is intended to shield unique ground‑floor retail, galleries and small businesses from displacement by higher‑rent restaurants and bars.
Supervisor Safaie asked whether the rule would protect existing non‑restaurant retail uses; planning staff and the sponsor clarified the code change would allow restaurants or bars to replace prior restaurant/bar uses but would not permit restaurants or bars to displace retail uses that are not restaurants or bars.
Supervisor Peskin moved to send the ordinance to the full board with a committee recommendation; the committee forwarded the item without objection.
Next steps: The ordinance will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors. The Planning Department materials and letters of support (including from the Small Business Commission and the Jackson Square Historic District Association) were entered into the committee packet, as noted on the record.
