Notes form meeting September 18th

A report was made on the commitment of planning to schedule a hearing on conditional use / pornography production issues.

A plan was identified to obtain political support for this regulation
before the hearing date. 

The idea is simple.  Give individual communities a chance to discuss the appropriateness of locating pornography production facilities in their community  BEFORE the move is given
Planning Commission approval.

There are reports of Friday night parties being held at the Armory.  This is a violation of the code and kink.com's owner has been warned once about this.  Anyone with evidence of these parties should contact us.

The issue of Casa de Las Madres need to relocate was discussed. 

The following committees were set up:

 Follow up with planning commission re upcoming hearing.

Monitor for non approved uses of the Armory

Check with various commissions for support.

Follow up with building inspection.

Enforcement of legal issues.

If you are interested in helping on specific committees please contact us.

Mission Rezoning Hearing 3/20/07

The Planning Meeting went well.  Many issues are being discussed including housing / affordable housing, height limits, parking, etc.     Click here for draft zoning plan

We were told that, under the Draft zoning plan "Adult Entertainment"
would require a conditional use permit before
locating in the Mission District.

Also, NC-17 film production would be listed under "Adult Entertainment"
thus preventing more situations like the one we have at
the Mission Armory.

This is not yet written into the code. 
To make sure they keep their promise send an e-mail to:
Claudia.Flores@sfgov.org or Johnny.Jaramillo@sfgov.org

include text:
I live/work in the Mission. 
We were told that, under the Draft zoning plan. "Adult Entertainment" would require a
conditional use permit before locating in the
Mission District.    Also, NC-17 film production would be listed under "Adult Entertainment."  Please follow through by including these provisions in the new zoning planned for the Mission.

   Robert showed clips of kink.com news that included Peter Acworth meeting with Supervisor Duffy, reps of the SF Planning Commission.   He has been asked to beautify the Mission Corridor along with the outside of the Armory.  Duffy expressed his support for community development.

   Roberto reported a victory:  Peter Acworth withdrew his application for membership with the Mission Merchants Association.

   Reynaldo offered to translate the petition and documents to encourage participation by the Spanish language community.

   Roberto summarized our strong arguments for a visionary victory against Kink.com:

1.        Peter Acworth purposely did not want to tell the community about his plans to open up shop at the Armory because of expected opposition

2.        The City Planning Department gave Kink.com the green light to move into the Armory and a department attorney admitted that he did not read that the film studios were for production of x-rated films and videos.

3.        Kink.com opened up shop without setting up fire escapes, fire exit signs, did not remove asbestos; the facilities are not ADA-code compliant; other building codes were circumvented and apparently city agencies have not enforced regulatory requirements.

Roberto emphasized the importance of formal complaints being filed with city agencies:  We should all file formal complaints.  Armando will again send out by email the procedures sheet to follow with the health department, fire department, building department and other agencies.

  Toby reported that the Board of Directors of Mission Housing and Development have reviewed the Kink.com plans and have taken a formal position against the company on the basis that housing developments plans have been put on the wayside.  NOTE:  Toby sent out an email that documents Armory plans halted and acceptable uses.  Discussion followed on how the community is not necessarily to blame for the obstacles.  Indeed, several city agencies adamantly pursued a highly restrictive regulatory enforcement policy that stifled prior Armory plans.  A city taxes plan to make the Armory code compliant has been neglected.

   Formal requests are being submitted for Board of Supervisors members Daly, Duffy and Ammiano.  Members were encouraged to express to them, and other board members, our opposition to Kink.com, via email, telephone calls and formal letters.

   A brief discussion followed about seeking support from the church community, other officials, organizations-- and possibly expands the issue to include other communities in San Francisco, expand statewide and  nationally.