Entertainment Commission approves Castro Theater permit for Another Planet Entertainment after mixed public comment

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Nov. 4 approved a place-of-entertainment permit that will allow Another Planet Entertainment to operate a range of live programming at the Castro Theater, 429 Castro St., after a meeting that combined celebratory remarks about a major rehabilitation with pointed questions about community outreach and two adjacent small businesses facing eviction.

Deputy Director Acevedo presented the application and told commissioners the applicant had obtained planning approvals and a type 90 liquor license, conducted neighborhood outreach and submitted a security and emergency plan; staff said there were 26 letters of support and one letter of opposition. "Once their sound system is in place, senior sound inspectors would set an internal sound limit in accordance with police code article 29," staff told the commission.

Mary Conde of Another Planet Entertainment described a multi-year rehabilitation and programming plan. She noted extensive restoration work and investments, saying, "Because at a price tag of $41 million, it's kind of hard to imagine when we actually get our return on investment. But that's not why we're doing this project." Garrett Blanchard, introduced as the theater's incoming general manager, said the company plans a mix of film festivals, concerts, comedy, drag shows and community events and has announced a 20-show Sam Smith run that has already sold out.

Public comment split the room. Michael Petrellis, a frequent commenter, held up a sign reading "APE equals greed" and urged the commission to attach conditions to approval, including annual town-hall meetings and measures to address what he called the ongoing eviction process affecting two small businesses adjacent to the theater. "Another Planet is in the process of evicting two long-term small businesses from the Castro Theater," Petrellis said, and asked the commission to require concrete commitments to support those businesses.

Representatives of local cultural organizations and businesses spoke in favor. Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride, described APE as "a great partner to San Francisco Pride" and said its events drive economic benefit to the Castro. James Gonzalez, a nearby resident, and other neighborhood speakers emphasized the theater's potential to bring patrons back to local businesses.

In response to questions about the evictions, Mary Conde said Another Planet is a tenant and "we're not party to their communication or their negotiation with their landlord," and added the company would share information if the landlord informs them. Commissioners pressed the applicant on community engagement; staff and the applicant pointed to planning conditions and a condition of approval that requires at least one annual meeting with the Castro Merchants Association and the Cultural District.

Commissioners then voted to approve the permit with staff recommendations. Vice President Wong, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Wilson and President Ben Blyman recorded aye votes.

The permit allows the venue to host seated and general-admission events, film screenings, conferences and a broad range of entertainment; staff said some non-entertainment activities (fundraisers, conferences) had been reported for context. The commission did not add conditions beyond existing planning and POE requirements; the record includes the company's security plan and community outreach materials. The commission did not resolve landlord-tenant disputes raised during public comment.

Next steps: the permit is approved and staff will set the internal sound limit after the theater's sound system is in place and inspectors conduct measurements under Police Code Article 29. The commission did not set additional follow-up deadlines related to the eviction questions raised during public comment.