San Francisco Public Safety Committee Approves Liquor License Transfer for 24 Bart Liquor Store

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of San Francisco County convened on May 13, 2021, under the leadership of Chair Gordon Marr, Vice Chair Katherine Stephanie, and committee member Matt Haney. The meeting was conducted via video conference due to ongoing COVID-19 health precautions, with public participation facilitated through a call-in system.

The first agenda item addressed was the transfer of a Type 21 off-sale general liquor license to Binaya Picarrel, operating as 24 Bart Liquor Store, located at 334720 Fourth Street. Officer Salmonson from the San Francisco Police Department's Alcohol Liaison Unit presented the report, noting that the application had received no letters of protest or support. Despite the location being in a high-crime area with a high saturation of liquor licenses, the unit recommended approval with the condition that the applicant actively monitor the area to prevent loitering.

Committee members expressed concerns regarding the high crime statistics and the existing number of liquor licenses in the area. However, Officer Salmonson reassured them that the absence of opposition and the support from Mission Station justified the recommendation for approval. David Villalobos, representing the applicant, emphasized that the license would continue a long-standing community service, as the store previously held a similar license before the ownership change.

After a brief discussion, the committee moved to public comment, but no callers expressed interest in speaking on the item. Following this, Chair Marr made a motion to prepare a resolution affirming that the license transfer would serve the public convenience and necessity, recommending it to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration on May 25, 2021. The motion passed with three votes in favor.

The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item, continuing the structured approach to address public safety and neighborhood service issues in San Francisco County.