The ordinance allows movie theaters that also serve food to host various entertainment activities and sell alcohol on-site. It also exempts certain theaters in the Upper Fillmore area from size limits for non-residential uses when selling wine and beer.
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to authorize Movie Theaters that also operate as Bona Fide Eating Places to offer entertainment, cultural, artistic, dramatic, musical, or leisure activities, performances or exhibitions, and permit on-site wine, beer, and/or liquor, and make conforming changes in the Planning Code definitions of Bar and Bona Fide Eating Place uses; permitting certain Movie Theaters in the Upper Fillmore Neighborhood Commercial District to sell wine and/or beer without being subject to non-residential use size limits otherwise applicable in the District; affirming the Planning Departmentβs determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.
How it got here
The legislation originated from a need to support struggling movie theaters in San Francisco by allowing them to sell alcohol and host events.
Supervisor Sherrill introduced the ordinance to amend the Planning Code to allow movie theaters that operate as bona fide eating places to sell alcohol and host various events.
The Planning Department determined that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Small Business Commission unanimously voted in support of the legislation, highlighting its potential to enhance the business model of movie theaters.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing and adopted a recommendation for approval with modifications to the ordinance.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee amended the ordinance and recommended it for further consideration by the Board.
The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, allowing certain movie theaters to sell alcohol and host events.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record