Committee clears waiver so Terrace Street traffic island can qualify for shared-spaces permit

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on Sept. 11 voted to forward an ordinance that would waive specific administrative-code requirements so a curbside traffic island at Terrace Street and 46th Avenue — an activation used by the Whitecap bar — can be treated as eligible for the city’s shared-spaces sidewalk permit.

Tita Bell, legislative aide for Supervisor Ingardio, said the shared-spaces program was created during the pandemic to help small businesses and that the Whitecap’s existing seating configuration did not fit the formulas in the current code. She said City departments (Planning, SFMTA, Public Works and City Attorney’s Office) agreed a limited waiver was appropriate so the business could apply for the longer-term permit without dismantling a community gathering spot.

Monica Munewich, shared-spaces program manager at SFMTA, said the ordinance would only reclassify the traffic bulb to make the site eligible; it does not grant a permit. She said the business would still be subject to Public Works review, ADA and visibility requirements, and the usual application process before a permit could be issued.

Chair Myrna Melgar moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the committee voted three ayes and the motion passed.

The committee’s action enables the Whitecap’s seating area to apply for long-term shared-spaces permitting under the city’s program, subject to all standard permitting requirements and public-works reviews.