Entertainment Commission conditionally grants several permits, sets Stratos hearing for Sept. 19
August 15, 2023 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on Aug. 15 heard multiple permit applications and enforcement items and acted on several of them in a single session.
What the commission voted to approve
- Whitecap (3608 Taraval Street): The commission conditionally granted a limited live-performance (LLP) permit allowing occasional indoor entertainment and limited outdoor amplified sound Monday–Friday 3–9 p.m. and weekends 2–8 p.m., after the owner, Matt Lopez, described plans for small DJs and acoustic acts and pledged neighborhood responsiveness. The commission asked the applicant to follow up with deputy director Azevedo for next steps.
- Trinity (1851 Union Street): The LLP permit was conditionally granted after extended discussion. Staff told commissioners Trinity had 13 sound complaints since April 12, 2023 and two citations in April and July for hosting entertainment without a permit; SFPD Northern Station recommended denial. Owners Johnny Matheny and Nick Bonnie said they had changed management, would not amplify sound in the breezeway, and must remediate a fire-door issue before starting live performances. Staff said the LLP would not be issued until the door issue is corrected.
- Conservatory at 1 Sansom (1 Sansom Street): The commission conditionally approved a Place of Entertainment permit for a new event space and restaurant with staff to set internal sound limits in accordance with Municipal Police Code Article 29. Manager Phil Spiegel described extensive outreach to more than 500 nearby businesses and a calendar of cultural and fundraising events.
- Valencia Corridor Merchants Association amendment (Valencia street closures): Commissioners approved an amendment to permit outdoor amplified sound for a dancing-in-the-streets series Saturdays Aug. 19–Nov. 18, 5–8 p.m., with a staff-recommended sound limit that amplified sound must not exceed ambient levels at 100 feet and a stronger emphasis on neighborhood outreach after some residents complained about initial loud sound checks and extended play.
Votes at a glance
- Whitecap LLP (motion to approve): Approved by roll call (President Camino and five commissioners recorded as voting aye). Follow-up with deputy director required.
- Trinity LLP (motion to approve with STAC/conditions): Approved by roll call; staff will not issue a permit until the fire-door remediation is complete and internal sound limits are set; SFPD appeared to have recommended denial on record.
- Conservatory POE (motion to approve): Approved by roll call with standard calendaring and sound-limit conditions; staff to set internal sound limits per MPC Article 29.
- Valencia Corridor amendment (motion to approve with staff recommendations): Approved by roll call with a 100-foot ambient sound limit and outreach emphasis.
Stratos revocation hearing and interim suspension
Director Weiland filed a complaint seeking revocation of Stratos Nightclub’s Place of Entertainment permit (EC1452) and invoked exigent-circumstances provisions; SFPD Chief William Scott concurred in the charging party’s written determination. The parties agreed to postpone the revocation hearing to Sept. 19, 2023, and Stratos agreed to suspend entertainment operations until that hearing. The commission voted to set the Sept. 19 hearing and required a written stipulation reflecting the postponement and suspension by the deadline stated at the meeting.
What this means
Most approvals were conditional: staff will follow up with applicants to set internal sound limits, verify building-department remediation (where required), and enforce permit conditions. The Trinity approval was notable for the police recommendation against issuance and a history of complaints and citations; staff emphasized that issuance would not proceed until safety/door issues and compliance steps were complete.
The commission’s next scheduled steps include staff review of required follow-up (security plans, building remediation and briefing schedules) and the Sept. 19 hearing on Stratos.
What the commission voted to approve
- Whitecap (3608 Taraval Street): The commission conditionally granted a limited live-performance (LLP) permit allowing occasional indoor entertainment and limited outdoor amplified sound Monday–Friday 3–9 p.m. and weekends 2–8 p.m., after the owner, Matt Lopez, described plans for small DJs and acoustic acts and pledged neighborhood responsiveness. The commission asked the applicant to follow up with deputy director Azevedo for next steps.
- Trinity (1851 Union Street): The LLP permit was conditionally granted after extended discussion. Staff told commissioners Trinity had 13 sound complaints since April 12, 2023 and two citations in April and July for hosting entertainment without a permit; SFPD Northern Station recommended denial. Owners Johnny Matheny and Nick Bonnie said they had changed management, would not amplify sound in the breezeway, and must remediate a fire-door issue before starting live performances. Staff said the LLP would not be issued until the door issue is corrected.
- Conservatory at 1 Sansom (1 Sansom Street): The commission conditionally approved a Place of Entertainment permit for a new event space and restaurant with staff to set internal sound limits in accordance with Municipal Police Code Article 29. Manager Phil Spiegel described extensive outreach to more than 500 nearby businesses and a calendar of cultural and fundraising events.
- Valencia Corridor Merchants Association amendment (Valencia street closures): Commissioners approved an amendment to permit outdoor amplified sound for a dancing-in-the-streets series Saturdays Aug. 19–Nov. 18, 5–8 p.m., with a staff-recommended sound limit that amplified sound must not exceed ambient levels at 100 feet and a stronger emphasis on neighborhood outreach after some residents complained about initial loud sound checks and extended play.
Votes at a glance
- Whitecap LLP (motion to approve): Approved by roll call (President Camino and five commissioners recorded as voting aye). Follow-up with deputy director required.
- Trinity LLP (motion to approve with STAC/conditions): Approved by roll call; staff will not issue a permit until the fire-door remediation is complete and internal sound limits are set; SFPD appeared to have recommended denial on record.
- Conservatory POE (motion to approve): Approved by roll call with standard calendaring and sound-limit conditions; staff to set internal sound limits per MPC Article 29.
- Valencia Corridor amendment (motion to approve with staff recommendations): Approved by roll call with a 100-foot ambient sound limit and outreach emphasis.
Stratos revocation hearing and interim suspension
Director Weiland filed a complaint seeking revocation of Stratos Nightclub’s Place of Entertainment permit (EC1452) and invoked exigent-circumstances provisions; SFPD Chief William Scott concurred in the charging party’s written determination. The parties agreed to postpone the revocation hearing to Sept. 19, 2023, and Stratos agreed to suspend entertainment operations until that hearing. The commission voted to set the Sept. 19 hearing and required a written stipulation reflecting the postponement and suspension by the deadline stated at the meeting.
What this means
Most approvals were conditional: staff will follow up with applicants to set internal sound limits, verify building-department remediation (where required), and enforce permit conditions. The Trinity approval was notable for the police recommendation against issuance and a history of complaints and citations; staff emphasized that issuance would not proceed until safety/door issues and compliance steps were complete.
The commission’s next scheduled steps include staff review of required follow-up (security plans, building remediation and briefing schedules) and the Sept. 19 hearing on Stratos.
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