Palm House permit continued after neighbors detail noise complaints; commission lacks quorum

SAN FRANCISCO — The Entertainment Commission continued consideration of a Palm House LLP application on Dec. 19 after lengthy public opposition over noise and a procedural problem left the body without a quorum.

The continuation: Commissioners moved to continue the Palm House permit to the commission’s next meeting because Commissioner Wong recused herself for a family conflict and President Camino was absent, leaving the panel short of a full voting body for a final decision on the contested item.

Neighbors’ complaints: Andrew Grindstaff, an attorney representing a nearby property owner, told the commission residents had exchanged "over 200 messages" with Palm House staff and that his client's decibel measurements from a property about 62 feet from the venue "have exceeded 80 decibels." He requested conditions if the commission were to approve the permit, including routine noise monitoring, a 10 p.m. limit on indoor live entertainment, limits on outdoor speakers and measurement clarifications.

Owner response and mitigations: Palm House owner Jeff Davis acknowledged neighborhood concerns and outlined steps he and staff have taken, including removing crank handles from rear windows to keep them closed by 10 p.m., removing the parklet to reduce street-level noise, and making management contact information available. "I'm always available," Davis told the commission, noting he lives two blocks from the venue and said his management team would be reachable to neighbors.

Procedural note: Staff told the commission it had authority to impose time, place and manner conditions but not to mandate broader changes requested by opponents; staff recommended approval to 11 p.m. under zoning, with the option to recondition the permit if enforcement problems appear. Because of the recusal and the absences, the commission could not finalize the item at the Dec. 19 meeting.

Next steps: The commission moved and voted to continue Palm House to the first meeting in January (commissioners discussed preferring the third Tuesday in January for scheduling). Staff will re-notice the item and return it when a quorum is available to vote.

Public comment highlights: Attorney Andrew Grindstaff said, "Decibel readings from my client's property... have exceeded 80 decibels," and petitioned for monitoring and specific limits. Owner Jeff Davis said the business has made operational changes and welcomed neighbor contact: "We removed the crank handles from the windows so the patrons can't open those up," he said. The commission emphasized neighbors should file formal 311 complaints to trigger inspector responses.

Outcome: Item continued for re-hearing when the commission can assemble a full voting quorum.