Entertainment Commission approves teleconference resolution, a consent permit and hears public complaints about nightlife enforcement

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission met in a short hybrid session and unanimously approved a resolution making findings to allow teleconference meetings under California Government Code section 549.53(e). Commissioners present — President Ben Blyman, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Torres and Commissioner Wong — voted in favor after no public comment was received on the item.

The commission also approved the minutes from the Dec. 20, 2022 meeting and a consent agenda that included a limited indoor live-performance permit for Libreria Pino. Staff noted the permit carries a condition tied to the venue's zoning that requires indoor entertainment to end by 10 p.m. and that an internal sound limit and a standard calendaring condition were attached.

During general public comment, Barry Toronto, joining by Zoom, raised a string of enforcement concerns about local nightlife businesses. Toronto said Bon Bar has become Mother Bar and alleged continuing problems at Skylark, including illegal parking and loitering on Rondel Alley, and questioned whether enforcement had been adequate: “I think it's a problem that you're not fully investigating Skylark,” he said. He also complained that some nightclubs were obstructing bicycle lanes and encouraging double parking on streets such as Eleventh Street and asked the commission to make streets safer.

Executive staff provided brief updates. Deputy Director Azevedo reported on noise-enforcement responses, including follow-up at White Rabbit (3138 Filmar Street) after a 311 complaint and a later inspection that found the door propped open and sound readings above the allowable limit; he said a notice of violation was issued for the door and the over-limit sound measurement. Executive Director Wyland introduced Sid Zelenak as the commission's new sound inspector; Zelenak thanked staff for the welcome and said she was honored to represent the city.

The meeting closed after a short discussion about the state of nightlife and the need for policy to adapt to reduced patronage; President Blyman adjourned the session at 6:01 p.m.

The commission did not take any contested or contested-policy votes at this meeting beyond the routine approvals listed above, and staff said they would follow up with supervisors' offices on timelines for pending land-use items.