New Ordinance to Revitalize Van Ness Business Corridor in San Francisco

The Van Ness business corridor in San Francisco is set to undergo significant changes, thanks to a newly enacted city ordinance. This legislation aims to attract chain businesses in an area that has seen a rising number of vacant retail storefronts.

Vacant Storefronts and Legislative Response

Approximately 50% of retail spaces along Van Ness Avenue are currently unoccupied. In response to this growing concern, Supervisor Stephen Sherrill introduced a measure to simplify the process for businesses seeking to establish a presence in this mixed-use corridor.

Eliminating Conditional Use Permits

Under the previous regulations, conditional use permits were required, primarily designed to favor small businesses over larger chains. However, this process often prolonged the timeline for new ventures significantly, averaging around seven and a half months.

The newly approved ordinance effectively eliminates the need for these permits along Van Ness Avenue, bringing the permitting timeline down to zero. “When a corridor is struggling like this, we need to make it easier to fill these vacancies, not harder,” said Sherrill.

Encouraging Business Growth

Sherrill has already initiated discussions with three businesses interested in moving to vacant spaces within the corridor. This development signals a potential upswing in the area’s retail landscape.

Conclusion

The passage of this ordinance marks a proactive step toward revitalizing the Van Ness corridor, allowing for a more diverse blend of businesses that includes larger chains alongside smaller, local enterprises.