UPDATE: North Beach small business owners are on high alert as Supervisor Danny Sauter pushes controversial zoning changes that could dramatically alter the neighborhood’s commercial landscape. A vote on this legislation is set for today, October 17, 2023, at 2 PM during the SF Board of Supervisors meeting.
Sauter’s proposal aims to allow small storefronts to merge into larger spaces to combat vacancies, a move he claims will enhance business growth. However, local business operators are questioning the necessity of such changes, pointing to North Beach’s remarkably low 6% commercial vacancy rate. “North Beach is not a struggling corridor,” stated Nick Ferris, president of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers Association.
This push comes amid ongoing discussions in San Francisco to lift the formula retail ban in areas like the Van Ness Corridor, where retail vacancies have been a persistent issue since before the pandemic. Sauter is optimistic that merging storefronts will help revitalize District 3, which includes North Beach, Nob Hill, and Polk Gulch.
“District 3’s reputation as the hardest district in San Francisco to start or run a small business is not something I think anyone should be proud of,” Sauter declared during the committee meeting. He believes his legislation will “fill empty storefronts” and reform the city’s planning codes, which he describes as “complex, confusing, and inequitable.”
Yet, business owners fear that larger retail chains could replace their smaller, community-focused shops if these regulations pass. Sauter has attempted to alleviate some concerns by adding an amendment that would prevent healthcare services from opening on ground floors, a move aimed at preserving retail spaces.
As the debate intensifies, the future of North Beach’s unique business environment hangs in the balance. Community members are mobilizing to voice their opposition, highlighting the potential risks of losing locally owned businesses in favor of larger retailers.
With the vote approaching rapidly, all eyes will be on the SF Board of Supervisors to see if these proposed zoning changes will move forward or if local voices will prevail in preserving the character of North Beach. Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops throughout the day.
