Why? See the news from the February 10 Board of Appeals hearing below.
Planning Commission hearing in April or May
Block out several hours on Thursdays in April and May starting at 1:30, to be ready when the Medjool case is heard at the Planning Commission. We need to be prepared to offer the impacted neighbors' point of view on whether conditions in the conditional use permit adequately address noise impacts on neighbors. Follow this blog to stay updated (just click the Follow button on the right.)
Board of Supervisors meeting in July or August if an appeal is necessary:
Block out Tuesdays at 2:00pm (several hours if you can).
Other ways to help:
As our Feb 5 blog post below states, we have been touched by the 350 people who signed our petition or wrote letters in favor of the City requiring Medjool's rooftop to address community impacts. Click here to read some excerpts from letters of support. If you haven't already, please sign our petition, or help us secure neutral legal advice for the concerned neighbors' point of view by making a donation (specify 'noise impact fund'.) Thank you and we hope we can count on your continued support as we work to coexist with Medjool.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Excerpt from Feb. 10, 2010 Board of Appeals Hearing Concluding Deliberation
President Fung: Commissioners: I would move that we continue this … with strong recommendations to the appellant that it would be prudent for him to not have music on the roof, and to make sure that his clients that come there respect the level of partying they do on the roof.
Commissioner Mandelman: … I think what is so upsetting to me about this case is the prolonged operation of an establishment that is having impacts on neighbors where those neighbors have no forum in which to have those concerns heard. The notice of violation was correct, I think. This is exactly the kind of thing that could have had a conditional use permit and there should have been conditions on it and a sound wall or whatever. And the Buddhists and the residential neighbors should have had opportunity to have their hearing at the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Mandelman: … I think what is so upsetting to me about this case is the prolonged operation of an establishment that is having impacts on neighbors where those neighbors have no forum in which to have those concerns heard. The notice of violation was correct, I think. This is exactly the kind of thing that could have had a conditional use permit and there should have been conditions on it and a sound wall or whatever. And the Buddhists and the residential neighbors should have had opportunity to have their hearing at the Planning Commission.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Latest Board of Appeals Hearing Update (Feb 10)
Background: Medjool has been running a large, open air rooftop restaurant and bar (the “Sky Terrace”) at 2522 Mission Street (behind the San Francisco Buddhist Center) for the last five years without proper permits. Almost a year ago, the Planning Department served a Notice of Violation, which Medjool appealed. The case was heard by the Board of Appeals eight months later on Dec. 16, 2009, and was continued (postponed) until February, 2010.
At a hearing on February 10, the Board of Appeals voted to delay upholding the violation, in order to give Medjool time to legalize the rooftop without incurring $100/day fines. By concluding that Medjool needs to secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) at the Planning Commission, the Board essentially confirmed that the Sky Terrace has been operating illegally.
Planning Department staff estimate 60 days (mid April) for the CUP to come before the Planning Department for approval. The following month neighbors can appeal to the Board of Supervisors, which could extend the CUP process.
Impacted neighbors would be wise to be prepared to attend Planning Commission meetings and offer their point of view. Mark all Thursdays in April and May in your calendar! The meetings are at 1:30pm. Then in May and June save time on your calendar for a possible appeal at the Board of Supervisors on a Tuesday at 2:00pm.
More information about the Feb 10 Board of Appeals hearing:
At a hearing on February 10, the Board of Appeals voted to delay upholding the violation, in order to give Medjool time to legalize the rooftop without incurring $100/day fines. By concluding that Medjool needs to secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) at the Planning Commission, the Board essentially confirmed that the Sky Terrace has been operating illegally.
Planning Department staff estimate 60 days (mid April) for the CUP to come before the Planning Department for approval. The following month neighbors can appeal to the Board of Supervisors, which could extend the CUP process.
Impacted neighbors would be wise to be prepared to attend Planning Commission meetings and offer their point of view. Mark all Thursdays in April and May in your calendar! The meetings are at 1:30pm. Then in May and June save time on your calendar for a possible appeal at the Board of Supervisors on a Tuesday at 2:00pm.
More information about the Feb 10 Board of Appeals hearing:
- Transcript of the hearing.
- Article about the hearing on Mission Local.
- Watch the hearing (about 90 minutes) on SFGTV.
Friday, February 5, 2010
THANK YOU!
Since a handful of committed volunteers launched Mission Coexistence just a few weeks ago, 350 supporters have either signed our online petition or wrote letters in support of peaceful coexistence between Medjool and all its neighbors. (Click here to read a few of the letters of support.)
Many thanks for your continuing support of the SFBC, which has been dedicated to peace and wellbeing in this community for the last 16 years.
Many thanks for your continuing support of the SFBC, which has been dedicated to peace and wellbeing in this community for the last 16 years.
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