Rules Committee advances neighborhood anchor business registry with eased petition rules and reporting requirement

The Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors advanced an ordinance to establish a neighborhood anchor business registry under the Office of Small Business and adopt City policy to encourage participation by anchor businesses in COVID-19 relief and commercial eviction grant programs.

Sponsor Supervisor Connie Chan told the committee she had worked with the Small Business Commission and stakeholders to refine the bill and proposed non-substantive amendments that would lower the petition signature threshold for registry applicants who apply by petition from 50 to 25 and require the Office of Small Business to publish an annual report on the characteristics and demographics of businesses included in the registry. Chan said those changes would help the program meet the city's racial equity and language access goals and produce an equitable mix of industries and business types.

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association called in to endorse the legislation. A caller identifying themself as Chavifani, director of policy and partnerships for the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, said restaurants "serve as anchors to their communities" and urged passage so small businesses could "become a legacy business."

Supervisor Chan moved the amendments and then moved to send the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Clerk roll calls recorded Supervisor Stephanie, Supervisor Chan and Chair Aaron Peskin voting "aye"; the motions passed without objection.

Next steps: the ordinance, as amended, will go to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration and possible adoption.