Committee backs permitting health services on Polk Street ground floors and extends tobacco paraphernalia restrictions

San Francisco — The Land Use and Transportation Committee recommended on June 10 that the Board consider an ordinance to allow ground‑floor health services in parts of the Polk Street neighborhood commercial district and to make permanent existing tobacco‑paraphernalia restrictions in the Polk and Haight districts.

President Aaron Peskin said the change responds to community requests to activate vacant ground‑floor spaces near Van Ness and Sutter CPMC, and to reduce storefront uses that can harm pedestrian activity. ‘‘This neighborhood commercial district is very close to the Sutter CPMC facility on Van Ness,’’ Peskin said, arguing that permitting health services in certain ground‑floor locations should help fill vacancies.

Speakers from the Lower Polk Community Benefit District and neighborhood stakeholders expressed support and urged the committee to move the item quickly. The Planning Commission recommended the change. President Peskin moved that the item be sent to the full Board as a committee report for a hearing July 11. The committee recorded three ayes (Peskin, Preston, Melgar) and the motion passed.

Next steps: The item will be considered by the full Board at the scheduled hearing; staff expects the Planning Department to coordinate notice and implementation.