Kimbara permit approved with Good Neighbor Policy after neighbors raise noise and safety concerns

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted May 3 to approve a place-of-entertainment permit for Kimbara at 3380 19th Street with the Good Neighbor Policy and staff recommendations after hearing both operator commitments to mitigation and neighborhood opposition.

Deputy Director Azevedo reported the new owners completed the Section 311 neighborhood notification and distributed outreach letters to 60 nearby businesses and residences; staff received one formal letter of opposition from the convent across the street and later another neighbor reached out with concerns. Mission Station had no additional conditions for the permit, Azevedo said.

Manager Juan Corral and owner Sylvia Armano described the restaurant’s plans to host live bands, DJs, comedy and karaoke Wednesday through Sunday and said they had installed double-glazed windows and insulation to mitigate sound. "We put double windows...we did the whole ceiling...we tried to address the problems that we had heard," Armano said.

Neighbors spoke at the hearing. Ellen Hess, representing the nearby convent, said evening meditations are disrupted by late-night music and cited ongoing parking and safety issues, including past shootings on the block. Benjamin DeCosmic, a long-term Mission resident, urged denial or delay until staff conduct sound measurements and said he routinely measures rooftop noise above 80 dB.

Commissioners discussed the neighborhood’s concerns and the applicant’s mitigation steps and emphasized the commission and staff would act as liaisons. One commissioner noted that returning a previously inactive entertainment venue to service can increase nighttime presence and, in some cases, reduce crime associated with vacant properties. The commission moved to approve the POE permit with the Good Neighbor Policy and staff recommendations; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners urged the applicant to keep lines of communication open and staff to monitor 311 noise complaints and respond with inspections as needed.