Historic Preservation Commission approves four legacy business registry nominations

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 15 voted unanimously to forward recommendations adding four nominees to the city’s Legacy Business Registry: Cha Cha Cha (Haight), the Golden Gate Park Band, City Optics (Marina/Cow Hollow) and the San Francisco Flower Market (new Potrero Hill location).

The commission’s action followed staff presentations and public comment supporting each application and a single motion to approve all four. "The department is very supportive of this application and supports a resolution recommending City Optics to the legacy business registry," planning staff said during the presentation. Woody LaBounty of San Francisco Heritage told the commission the program "is popular and ... an economic engine" and urged its continued funding.

Why it matters: the Legacy Business Registry recognizes long-running, locally important businesses and organizations and can strengthen applications for incentives and public recognition. Planning staff and public commenters described the four nominees as having long community histories: Cha Cha Cha (founded 1984) as a Haight/Ashbury restaurant known for Caribbean-inspired tapas; the Golden Gate Park Band as a 19th-century-origin ensemble that gives free concerts in Golden Gate Park; City Optics as a locally owned optometrist practice since 1988; and the San Francisco Flower Market as a wholesale market established in 1912 that moved this month to 901 16th Street.

What the commission heard: staff gave short historical summaries and recommended resolutions for each nominee. Cha Cha Cha’s application included a binder of press coverage and a family member and the new owner, identified as Onur (Oz) Ozkainek, spoke in support. The Golden Gate Park Band’s nomination emphasized continuous public performances and the group’s long history; the band’s current director, Dr. Herman Gonzalez, was named in staff remarks. City Optics’ presenter noted long-standing neighborhood ties and the owner Dr. Jeffrey Rich’s local profile. Planning staff said the Flower Market will be managed by a newly formed nonprofit, SF Flower Market Incorporated, at its Potrero Hill site and that the market serves dozens of vendors and hundreds of businesses.

Votes and next steps: after public comment the commission moved to approve the four legacy business registry applications. The motion passed unanimously, recorded as 6–0. Staff said accepted application materials will be added to the public record and that the planning department maintains an archive of submitted documentation.

Context and limits: the commission’s vote was a recommendation to the Planning Department/related city processes that manage the registry; it does not itself change land-use entitlements. Members of the public were told staff can accept additional supporting materials and include them in the permanent record for each legacy application.

Commissioners and speakers: the vote was recorded as: Commissioner Barone — Aye; Commissioner Baldauff — Aye; Commissioner Vergara — Yes; Commissioner Wright — Yes; Commissioner Negus Warren — Yes; Commission President Matsuda — Yes. No dissent was recorded.

A sampling of public remarks: Woody LaBounty, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, said the legacy business program is "an economic engine" for the city and urged full funding. A family member of Cha Cha Cha recounted the restaurant’s four-decade history and longtime staff continuity; new owner Oz said the restaurant has been "a gathering place, a community cornerstone". Planning staff thanked applicants and said submitted materials are publicly accessible via the department’s record.