The resolution extends the time for the Planning Commission to decide on changes to the Planning Code that would allow more flexibility for arts, entertainment, and social services in various zoning districts. It aims to enhance commercial activity and community services while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.
Resolution extending by 90 days the prescribed time within which the Planning Commission may render its decision on an Ordinance (File No. 220340) amending the Planning Code to update and reorganize Neighborhood Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning District controls, including, among other things, to 1) permit Accessory Arts Activities, and production, wholesaling, and processing of goods and commodities, to occupy more than one-third of total space in Commercial (C), Downtown Residential (DTR), Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use, Mission Bay, and Residential-Commercial (RC) Districts; 2) principally permit Arts Activities, Job Training, Public Facility, and Social Service and Philanthropic Facility uses in the Folsom Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit (NCT), SoMa NCT, Regional Commercial, and certain Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use Districts, and in historic and nonconforming commercial buildings in Residential Enclave Districts; 3) principally permit General Entertainment and Nighttime Entertainment uses in the Folsom Street NCT District; 4) principally permit Bar uses on the second floor in the Folsom Street NCT and Regional Commercial Districts; 5) principally permit Nighttime Entertainment uses in the Regional Commercial and Western SoMa Mixed Use - General (WMUG) Districts; 6) principally permit Nighttime Entertainment in the Mixed Use - General (MUG) and WMUG Districts; 7) principally permit Job Training, Public Facility, and Social Service and Philanthropic Facility uses in the SoMa NCT District and certain Eastern Neighborhoods Districts; 8) require that large developments in South of Market Mixed use districts which contain commercial spaces provide a mix of commercial space sizes; 9) require that all Nighttime Entertainment uses comply with the Entertainment Commission’s good neighbor policies; and 10) remove certain limitations on location for Nighttime Entertainment and Animal Services uses in the Western SoMa Special Use District; and adopting environmental findings, findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code, Section 302, and findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.
How it got here
The ordinance updates zoning regulations in various districts to allow for more diverse commercial activities, including arts, entertainment, and social services, while also ensuring a mix of commercial space sizes in large developments. It also establishes requirements for nighttime entertainment and compliance with good neighbor policies to address community concerns.
This ordinance changes zoning rules in the Castro Street area to allow larger uses for landmark buildings and permits nighttime entertainment on the second floor with special approval. It also confirms that these changes comply with environmental regulations and the city's planning priorities.