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Friday, 29 March 2013 15:49 |
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Senator Mark Leno introduced state wide legislation, SB635, that would create a path for cities and counties to offer later and flexible last call times up to 4 AM. This empowerment of local communities to offer flexible ending times for beverage service is set to be heard in the Senate Governmental Organizational committee on Tuesday April 9th, so the call for action is now. OptionsCA.com is a new website offering up all the details on his proposal and a simple way for your voice to be heard.
Click on OptionsCA.com, tell your friends and make "the other 9 to 5" strong.
SB 635 allows local communities to take control of these important community decisions. SB 635 will elevate San Francisco in specific and California in general to a level equal to or surpassing the great entertainment areas of the nation and the world. Optional 4 am hours (which require a special permit from the NY State Liquor Authority) has certainly never hurt New York. San Francisco and California deserve no less.
SB 635 is state wide community empowerment; it’s not just about San Francisco. For example, the Gaslamp district of San Diego, portions of LA and entertainment areas in other major cities and resort communities in CA would be eligible to adopt community plans that address their local situation. There are many high density restaurant and club areas in the state where this option would be a useful tool. The “nanny state” theory of controlling local zoning and land use by state regulation because local communities can’t be trusted has no place in California when it comes to entertainment, food and nightlife.
In short, the City decides if and where extended hours would be allowed and the ABC decides who may hold extended hours permits and under what conditions extended hours permit applications would be allowed.
The other part of the bill requires that any venue (which could include late night restaurants that cater to “the other 9 to 5″) desiring to apply for extended hours to apply to the ABC for the extended hours permit. The existing ABC protocol that requires notice to neighbors and permits protests (by anyone) to applications for extended hours at any particular venue would apply to these permit. If the ABC upholds the protest based on interference with quiet enjoyment (or for other reasons) the application may be denied or further conditioned (which is what happens with new venues now).
The plan could authorize extended hours applications on one or two streets (like the Embarcadero in certain blocks, or the nightlife corridor in the new SOMA plan on 11th street) or be confined to existing areas of high density nightlife where the need for adjustable planning exists today. The community plan could require some clubs to close at 2, some at 3 and some at 4. This would be for the purpose of spreading out the closing time traffic. This would reduce the current burden on law enforcement to handle large crowds being forced out on the street, all at 2 am. The community could also place other conditions on the exercise of an extended hours permit, such as provisional status that could be revoked in the event that the venue did not act responsibly.
Local communities (in SF the BOS and the Planning Commission) decide if there will be extended hours at all and, if so, the exact location where those extended hours would be allowed. These decisions should be made at the local level, not by legislative fiat in Sacramento, which is currently the case.
For a map of POSSIBLE San Francisco zone districts where business activity is permitted visit HERE.
More at OptionsCA.com. |
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Friday, 29 March 2013 15:14 |
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Polk Street moratorium legislation is heard at committee at 1:30 on Monday April 1, 2013 at the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors. City Hall, Board Chamber, on the second floor. After months of hearings, meetings, community feed-back and re-writes Supervisor David Chiu's proposed legislation will be heard and the public can speak. To read the latest draft version click here.
CMAC and merchants on the street have been meeting and as of last week offered amendments that have been put in the draft legislation that will be heard at committee. At the latest meeting, merchants, neighbors and CMAC met with the Supervisor and his Legislative Aide, Amy Chan, where important changes were discussed and proposed. They include: - Removal of the 12 AM restriction that was originally included on restaurants, but specify that these restaurants should be "bona fide eating places"
- Remove the proposed requirement that entertainment uses would require a Conditional Use Authorization approval before applying for the Place of Entertainment permit from the Entertainment Commission.
- Add a five year sunset to the legislation so that in five years the legislation will expire unless specifically re-authorized by a vote at the Board of Supervisors
- Extend the proposed temporary closure time limit from 180 days to 1 year and continue the exceptions for owner to owner transfer, renovation/repair permits already active in the system
These proposed modifications are huge and represent a the value of having an industry advocate like the California Music and Culture Association out fighting for fair and just treatment of those of us who operate in the "other 9 to 5" economy. The Supervisor has also agreed to start drafting good neighbor policies to supplement the legislation which would make all businesses operate to the same neighborly practices that entertainment venues already abide by. This is a new policy that CMAC has been advocating for on Polk Street. CMAC feels that if entertainment venues must live up to a high standard of good neighbor policies then so should everyone who is open into after midnight.
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Friday, 29 March 2013 14:47 |
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Yes, you read it right, after almost a decade of work, the Western Soma Plan has been signed by Mayor Lee on Tuesday. CMAC played a large role in making the plan more entertainment and hospitality friendly. For the first time since the 1980s entertainment venues on 11th Street, like DNA, Slim's and Beat Box are (as of right) legal and no housing can be put on that block. They have a more secure future, can expand, evolve and keep competitive thanks to CMAC leadership and huge community support. Celebrate on Tuesday April 2, 2013 at DNA Pizza from 6 to 8 PM with Supervisor Kim and her staff along with the many neighbors and merchants who now have a up to date zoning plan. No RSVP is necessary, Just come by. We wrote about the progress a few weeks back, but the great new is that the plan is now law! What does this mean for the neighborhood? The most important thing for all who live, work or play in this part of town is that the plan is complete and projects and plans can move forward. Watch the empty bus parking lot at the corner of Harrison Street and Eighth Streets, almost 2,000 new apartments and an entire micro community. For entertainment, the plan is huge. Not only are the venues on Eleventh Street (btw Folsom and Harrison) protected from housing popping up next door, but so are the old Caliente spot and now the property where currently BMW has a service garage. Remember the Raw Hide on Seventh Street at Folsom? Well rumor has it that plans are in the works for a new mixed use building with housing facing Langton Street and a new performance space with a second floor restaurant PLUS roof dining facing Seventh Street. Watch for the changes and support responsible social venues in West Soma. If you just can't get enough of the plan, you can read it in its entirety at the Planning Department website or click here. |
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Thursday, 28 February 2013 15:50 |
SUPERVISOR WIENER TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE NIGHTLIFE AND ENTERTAINMENT REGULATIONS
Changes include easing burdensome permit requirements for DJs before 10 pm, allowing outdoor music performances, and enhancing enforcement powers of Entertainment Commission
February 26, 20123
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Supervisor Scott Wiener, (415) 554-6968,
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At today’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Scott Wiener will introduce legislation to improve access to live music while strengthening the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission to ensure compliance with city ordinances. These amendments to the Police Code include classifying music by DJs as live performances, which will allow for less onerous permitting for performances before 10 pm; allowing limited outdoor music in plazas and courtyards; and enhancing and expanding the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission. The legislation will also clarify and clean up outdated or redundant parts of the Code.
“Entertainment and nightlife are an essential part of San Francisco’s cultural and economic vibrancy,” said Supervisor Wiener. “This legislation fosters live entertainment while also heightening our ability to monitor and regulate bad actors. The Entertainment Commission will be more effective in issuing permits and enforcing the law. The legislation recognizes that safe and responsible entertainment is key to our city’s success.”
The legislation will make several changes, including:
- Easing the permit process for non-late-night DJ performances. In 2011, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation to create a new type of permit, the “limited live performance” permit, for non-late-night live music in bars, restaurants, and cafes. The permit is an alternative to full “place of entertainment” permits required of night clubs, which entail a very onerous and expensive process. Supervisor Wiener’s legislation will allow venues with limited live performance permits to allow DJ performances until 10 pm under that permit. The legislation requires the Entertainment Commission to conduct sound tests to ensure that the DJ performances comply with the sound limits of the limited live performance legislation.
- Allowing Limited Live Performances at outdoor plazas, courtyards or similar outdoor spaces. Under current law, it is very challenging – even impossible – for private or public plazas to obtain permitting for outdoor performances. For example, the plaza adjacent to the Eagle Tavern or Ghiradelli Square technically cannot have ongoing music performance permits. Supervisor Wiener’s legislation will allow these outdoor spaces to obtain music permits and to activate these venues.
- Increasing the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission. The Entertainment Commission currently has limited ability to suspend permits for violations, often having to choose between a minor suspension and a complete revocation. In addition, the Commission cannot enforce against people who engage in performances without bothering to obtain a permit and cannot assess civil penalties against violators. The legislation will give the Commission authority to impose longer permit suspensions, will, for the first time, allow the Commission to enforce against people who don’t obtain permits, and will allow the Commission to assess and enforce civil penalties against permit violators.
“Ensuring a vibrant and responsible nightlife is the mission of the Entertainment Commission,” said Entertainment Commission Executive Director Jocelyn Kane. “By adding more tools to the Commission’s enforcement powers, while improving the permitting process and adding clarity to the law, we can work more effectively and efficiently with business owners, neighborhood residents and the Police Department to create a safe and responsible nightlife environment.”
In March of last year, at the request of Supervisor Wiener, the City Economist released a study quantifying the economic impact of San Francisco nightlife. That report found that in 2010 the industry had a $4.2 billion impact on San Francisco, employing 48,000 people and furnishing the City with $55 million in tax revenue.
“We need to encourage a flourishing nightlife that not only marks San Francisco as a cultural capital, but also creates jobs and brings in revenue for essential City services,” said Supervisor Wiener. “These amendments are part of that broader strategy.” |
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Wednesday, 27 February 2013 12:11 |
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San Francisco, CA - The California Music and Culture Association hosted the first of 2013 CMAC After-Dark Membership Mixers last night at San Francisco's reclining dining and entertainment establishment, Supperclub. Manager Michael Anthony and his professional staff presented a custom taco bar, drinks at the red bar, a DJ and an extraordinary Ariel act culminating the entertainment. 
Renderings of the Warriors stadium at piers 30-32. Concept by Future Cities. Aerial view. Photo: Art Zendarski, Future Cities During libations and networking, Gloria Chan, Mayor's office of was introduced by CMAC co-chair Alex Rosenthal and the members of CMAC who were in attendance were given an hour informal and detailed presentation on the challenging project the Warriors have begun; bringing a state of the art athletic facility that can be used for concerts of 15,000+ when games are not being played. 
Ellen Warner, Vice President of Development for the Warriors shows the proposed artist concepts. There were questions from the members were about the accessibility of the outdoor space. Who would do the bookings and manage the space when it was not being used for basketball and what would the large exterior ground be built for? Would it have infrastructure for a jazz festival or outdoor theater? What about an Art exhibition or antique car club? The answer is that while details are not all known, comments and questions were carefully recorded and the list of requests for the space added another page. The management of the space will be done in house and the members were excited about the opportunity this new space will provide for daytime outdoor events. 
Warriors President Rick Welts takes questions from interested CMAC members. San Francisco is lucky to have a local development company working on bringing the Warriors to the city who understands that local politics and what partnerships will be needed for this project to soar. If what we hear tonight is to be any clue, this will be a state of the art facility and will put San Francisco on the map by having a 15,000+ seat flexible use hall inside. 
Exterior space is still being worked but a possible Amphitheater was talked about positively. For more information about the project contact
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.
The next CMAC membership event will be held in the Mission. Watch for an email on just where we will land.
--------Steven for the CMAC Membership Team. |
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Monday, 25 February 2013 23:47 |
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Here is the map of the proposed Zoning for the Western Soma Plan Area: click to enlarge 
Here is a chart showing uses in the Western Soma Zone Districts: click to enlarge 
Here is the video raising questions about the wisdom of more housing on Eleventh Street: |
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