Committee forwards permanent parklet permits for two longtime Valencia Street businesses

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Land Use & Transportation Committee voted Jan. 30 to send to the full Board an ordinance waiving specified Administrative Code requirements so two food-service shared-space parklets on Valencia Street can be defined as curbside shared spaces under the permanent shared-spaces program.

Chair Mirna Melgar moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the motion passed 3-0 with votes from Board President Aaron Peskin and Vice Chair Dean Preston. The committee recorded three affirmative votes and the item will proceed to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 7.

City staff and representatives from Supervisor Ronan’s office said the two parklets serve long-established businesses on the 500 block of Valencia: Puerto Alegre, located at 546 Valencia and operated by the Vigil family for more than 50 years, and Blondie's Bar at 540 Valencia, in operation for about 30 years. Staff explained both parklets occupy a mid-block sidewalk bulb-out that is not part of a curbside parking zone and that the bulb-out had not been activated for crossings prior to the pandemic. Under the city's temporary pandemic-era shared-spaces program those parklets were permitted; the ordinance would allow them to remain as part of the incoming permanent program.

Owners of both businesses urged approval. Amparo Vigil, who said she leads Puerto Alegre, recounted pandemic closures and operational adjustments and called the outdoor shared-space parklet “a blessing” that made “a huge difference” for the restaurant and its employees. “We appreciate everything that everyone has done to support us,” Vigil said. Nikki, co-owner of Blondie's Bar, said the extra outdoor space has been “really beneficial” and urged supervisors to pass the legislation.

Staff confirmed planning and public works supported the ordinance and said the businesses had applied to join the permanent program. Following public comment, the chair asked if there were further questions, made the motion to forward the item with a positive recommendation, and the committee approved the motion 3-0.

Next steps: the ordinance will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its Feb. 7 meeting.