Committee backs Rybar liquor-license transfer, tables withdrawn Gifted Basket application

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee voted on April 27 to prepare and forward a resolution to the full Board of Supervisors recommending approval of a transfer of a Type 48 (on-sale, general public premises) liquor license to Rybar Inc., which proposes to operate at 140 Tenth Street.

The committee heard a PCN (public convenience or necessity) report from the SFPD ABC liaison, Officer Samuelson, who said the Rybar application produced zero letters of protest and two letters of support. Officer Samuelson described the proposed location as being in Plot 218 (a low-crime area) but in Census Tract 17603, which the report lists as a “high saturation” area for alcohol licenses. The Police ABC/ALU recommendation included conditions: active monitoring to prevent loitering adjacent to the premises and that any entertainment not be audible at nearby residences.

Applicant representative Greg Lindgren addressed the committee, said the business would be an asset to the neighborhood and agreed the ALU conditions were “very reasonable.” Supervisor Dorsey, the district supervisor for the location, voiced support.

Clerk John Carroll opened the item for public comment; none were offered in person or by phone. Chair Supervisor Catherine Stephanie moved that the clerk prepare a resolution finding the transfer will serve the public convenience or necessity and that the committee recommend the resolution to the full Board; Member Dorsey and Chair Stephanie voted aye and the motion carried with no opposition.

Separately, the committee took up agenda item 2, a premise-to-premise transfer of a Type 20 (beer-and-wine) license for the Gifted Basket at 72 Dorman Avenue. Clerk and SFPD staff reported the application had been withdrawn; despite a brief officer presentation noting no letters of protest or support and ALU’s recommendation of approval, the clerk and chair moved to table the item. Member Dorsey and Chair Stephanie voted aye and the item was tabled.

Next steps: the Rybar resolution will be prepared as a committee report and forwarded with a positive recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for consideration at a future meeting.