Entertainment commission approves ParkLab Gardens outdoor music permit with reduced hours after neighbor complaints

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted May 16 to grant ParkLab Gardens a fixed place outdoor amplified sound (FPAS) permit, but trimmed the business’s requested hours after residents raised repeated noise concerns.

ParkLab Gardens, an outdoor mini‑golf course and beer garden in Mission Bay, asked to convert its jam permit (which allowed six hours of amplified sound per day) into a permanent FPAS permit and to increase allowable amplified sound to 10 hours daily. Staff recommended an eight‑hour compromise but commissioners ultimately approved a six‑hour limit and directed staff to prioritize technical testing and neighbor mediation.

Owner Carlos Muela and manager Ashlyn McFadden told the commission they had carried out outreach to 27 businesses, one residence and neighborhood forums and said amplified sound is limited to the dining/food‑truck area and not the mini‑golf course. They said management enforces no‑smoking and no‑alcohol zones and uses on‑site staff and cameras to maintain safety.

Multiple residents from The Madrone and the nearby Family House testified that ambient music has been audible inside apartments and that noise travels farther because of wind and reflection between buildings. Resident Diana Turgeon said neighbors had not received sufficient notice and asked the commission to deny the application to allow more time for outreach and mitigation. Other residents described repeated, unresolved complaints to management and to 311.

Commissioners and staff agreed there were two issues: outreach/communication and a technical sound‑travel effect that can make sound audible farther than the 50‑foot ambient measurement in the code. Before approving the permit, commissioners added a direction that staff prioritize sound measurements and speaker‑by‑speaker testing (including measurements at the Madrone building) and require the permit holder to provide a dedicated contact number for neighbors.

The motion to approve with staff recommendations and a separate direction to staff passed by voice vote. Commissioners present recorded unanimous approval of the permit as conditioned.

What happens next: staff will perform additional field sound testing focused on the 50‑foot ambient measurement and the building at issue and will work with the permit holder and neighbors on mitigation steps. The permit holder may request a future amendment if they wish to extend daily hours.