Supervisors back expanding entertainment-commission review for hotels near music venues

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee on Feb. 6 advanced an amendment to a 2015 nightlife-protection ordinance to extend the Entertainment Commission—s role to hotels and motels proposed within 300 feet of live-music venues.

Connor Johnston, staff to Board President London Breed, told the committee the 2015 law protects nightlife venues from nuisance suits when they operate under their permits and requires early coordination between developers, venues and the city. Johnston said planning staff identified 26 hotel and motel projects pending city review, 17 of which are within 300 feet of a place of entertainment.

The sponsor and President Breed—s office supported a Planning Commission recommendation to exempt hotel or motel projects that already held planning entitlements as of Oct. 4, 2016. Diego Sanchez of the Planning Department confirmed two projects—62 First Street and 72 Ellis—retained entitlements as of Dec. 31, 2016; a third had dropped off the list.

After no public comment, Supervisor Aaron Peskin moved the amendment to add the grandfathering clause to section 116.11(f). Supervisor Katie Tang seconded the motion, and the committee moved the ordinance as amended to the full Board with a positive recommendation by unanimous, no-objection consent.

The amendment will require the Planning Commission to consider Entertainment Commission recommendations on coexistence measures for hotels and nightlife venues and give the Entertainment Commission authority to address potential conflicts earlier in the review process. The item will appear on the Board of Supervisors— Feb. 14 agenda unless otherwise noted.