Commission approves multiple permits including Arepas and Kilowatt; staff recommend mitigation conditions
December 20, 2022 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Entertainment Commission approved a slate of permit items at its Dec. 20 meeting, moving one business (Arepas) from the consent agenda to the regular agenda after a recent notice of violation and approving several indoor entertainment permits with staff‑recommended conditions.
Deputy Director Azevedo told the commission the consent agenda included three LLP permits and that, after staff review, Arepas (3198 16th St.) should be moved to the regular agenda because of a recent notice of violation for hosting entertainment without a permit. The commission moved and approved the change and later approved the full consent agenda following remote public comment from supporters of several businesses.
At the Arepas LLP hearing, owner Joanna Torres described plans to host singers, bands, DJs and other entertainment and said she was willing to follow staff recommendations and work with neighbors. Staff recommended internal sound abatement measures and set an internal sound limit; Commissioners approved Arepas with the good neighbor policy and the staff‑recommended internal sound limit of 86 dBA and a 91 dBC maximum, and required follow‑up with staff on next steps.
The commission also approved a POE and BP change in ownership for Kilowatt (3160 16th St.). New owners Katie Rose McCarthy, Peter Niven and Rick UC described outreach to 44 neighboring units and an online petition showing widespread community support; staff noted one letter of opposition in the file but said the applicants had spoken with that neighbor and addressed concerns. The commission voted to approve Kilowatt with staff recommendations and encouraged follow‑up on neighborhood outreach and safety planning.
During consent and regular agenda votes commissioners recorded ayes from President Ben Blime, Commissioners Perez, Thomas, Torres and Wong. Staff asked approved applicants to follow up with EC staff about compliance steps and any required sound or safety measures.
Deputy Director Azevedo told the commission the consent agenda included three LLP permits and that, after staff review, Arepas (3198 16th St.) should be moved to the regular agenda because of a recent notice of violation for hosting entertainment without a permit. The commission moved and approved the change and later approved the full consent agenda following remote public comment from supporters of several businesses.
At the Arepas LLP hearing, owner Joanna Torres described plans to host singers, bands, DJs and other entertainment and said she was willing to follow staff recommendations and work with neighbors. Staff recommended internal sound abatement measures and set an internal sound limit; Commissioners approved Arepas with the good neighbor policy and the staff‑recommended internal sound limit of 86 dBA and a 91 dBC maximum, and required follow‑up with staff on next steps.
The commission also approved a POE and BP change in ownership for Kilowatt (3160 16th St.). New owners Katie Rose McCarthy, Peter Niven and Rick UC described outreach to 44 neighboring units and an online petition showing widespread community support; staff noted one letter of opposition in the file but said the applicants had spoken with that neighbor and addressed concerns. The commission voted to approve Kilowatt with staff recommendations and encouraged follow‑up on neighborhood outreach and safety planning.
During consent and regular agenda votes commissioners recorded ayes from President Ben Blime, Commissioners Perez, Thomas, Torres and Wong. Staff asked approved applicants to follow up with EC staff about compliance steps and any required sound or safety measures.
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