Planning commission legalizes Fiddle Fig Cafe, acknowledges prior staff error in legacy-business case

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Feb. 22 unanimously approved a conditional use authorization for Fiddle Fig Cafe at 790 Lombard Street, resolving a dispute rooted in the 2019 eviction of the previous operator and subsequent legacy-business recognition.

The decision followed a staff presentation from Dakota Speecher, who said the prior tenant had legacy-business status and that the planning code requires a new conditional use authorization when a successor opens in that space. Project sponsor Jay Ng told commissioners his family had deep local roots and asked the commission to approve the cafe "with no additional conditions," saying the tenant had created seven local jobs and strong neighborhood ties.

Public testimony was sharply divided. Sunny Angulo, speaking for the District 3 office, read a statement from the displaced operator Elias Beharie alleging the prior eviction and claiming the new tenant "ruined my life," and urged the commission to consider the history of enforcement and protections for legacy businesses. Several longtime neighbors and preservation and community groups described the loss as painful and urged the city to do more for displaced legacy businesses. Supporters of Fiddle Fig — including residents, local small-business owners and parents from a nearby elementary school — described the cafe as a community hub and said it had brought life back to a quiet block.

Zoning administrator Corey Teague said the planning department had twice advised the current operator in 2020 that a conditional use authorization was not required. "Once we looked at it in more context ... we determined, actually, yes, the conditional use was required to add a new business post legacy business," Teague told the commission, acknowledging an earlier incorrect determination. Teague and planning staff described outreach and grant programs available through the city's legacy-business program and said the designation gives displaced businesses access to financial assistance administered by the Office of Small Business.

Commissioners framed the decision as a difficult balancing act. Several members expressed sympathy for the displaced operator and called for stronger legacy-business protections, but concluded that denying the cafe would leave the space vacant and not remedy the displacement. Commissioner Bridal moved to approve the CUA; the motion passed 5–0.

The commission directed staff to follow up with community and legacy-business program staff to explore remedial options for the displaced operator and to ensure clearer guidance to applicants going forward. The approval allows Fiddle Fig Cafe to continue operating under a formal conditional use authorization; the vote does not itself resolve separate private disputes between the parties.