San Francisco Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Hearing - September 24, 2026

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee met on September 24, 2026, at 6:15 PM to consider three liquor license transfers and hold a hearing on tree canopy equity and resource allocation in District 6. All three liquor license transfers were approved unanimously and forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations. The tree canopy hearing featured extensive testimony from the Department of Public Works and community members, and was continued to the call of the chair for further discussion.

Consent Calendar

• No items were considered on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 – Tree Canopy Hearing: Multiple District 6 residents and community advocates spoke, expressing strong support for increased tree planting and maintenance in underserved neighborhoods, especially South of Market (SoMa). Speakers highlighted low tree canopy (2.7% in SoMa, tied with Tenderloin), empty tree basins filled with trash, and the need for policy changes such as revising Public Works Order 1872 to allow planting on narrow sidewalks. Several speakers praised the partnership between DPW and community benefit districts (e.g., SoMa West CBD) for watering and maintenance. Alex Ludlum (SoMa West CBD) described a successful pilot program where the CBD waters 83 trees. Josh Clipp, former vice chair of the Urban Forestry Council, emphasized the importance of tree preservation and noted that since 2017 the city has not net gained a single street tree. Residents urged the committee to set binding tree canopy or tree count targets and to establish a stable funding source.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Coit Liquors (1657 Powell St): Officer Brendan Erickson (SFPD ABC liaison) reported zero letters of protest or support. The location is in a high crime area (Plot 130) and high concentration census tract. Central Station had no opposition. The Alcohol & Other Drugs Unit (AOU) recommended approval with conditions requiring the applicant to monitor for loitering and maintain litter-free premises. The applicant, Shoddy, stated he moved after a fire at his previous store and wishes to continue serving the neighborhood. Supervisor Sauter voiced strong support, calling the proprietor a fantastic merchant. The committee voted unanimously to direct the clerk to prepare a resolution finding the transfer serves public convenience or necessity and to forward it to the full board with a positive recommendation.
• Item 2 – Mission Bay Community Market (1360 Fourth St): Officer Erickson again reported zero letters, high crime area (Plot 295), high concentration census tract, Southern Station no opposition, AOU recommendation with identical conditions. The owner, Ray Dan Salah, noted alcohol would be a small part of a broader grocery store. Supervisor Dorsey expressed strong support, stating the market serves a convenience/necessity need in Mission Bay. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 3 – Noriana Farmers Market (4929 Mission St): Officer Erickson reported zero letters, low crime area (Block 896), low concentration census tract, Ingleside Station no opposition, AOU recommendation with conditions. The applicant's representative, David Villalobos, noted the applicants are responsible business owners who purchased a POS system with ID reader. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 4 – Tree Canopy Equity and Resource Allocation in District 6: Led by Supervisor Dorsey, the hearing focused on DPW's response to a letter of inquiry. Superintendent David Moore presented an overview: the Bureau of Urban Forestry maintains 125,000 street trees, planted 1,880 trees last year (a record), and aims to plant 2,500 this year. Key challenges include lack of a consistent funding source (estimated $13 million per year needed to plant 5,000 trees), staffing vacancies (e.g., inspection shop has 5 of 9-10 positions filled), and data system limitations (work orders not linked to geographic assets). Moore explained that equity priority areas guide grant applications, but factors like community demand and operational feasibility also influence planting locations. He noted that 87 of 250 trees planted under a CNRA grant were vandalized or missing, underscoring the need for community partnerships. Discussion covered the use of environmental justice maps, the impact of in-lieu fees from development, empty tree basins (221 identified in District 6), narrow sidewalk planting policy (Order 1872 allows exceptions case-by-case), and the difficulty of setting tree canopy targets due to long growth times and inclusion of non-city land. Supervisors questioned how funding is allocated and whether development-dependent resources disadvantage District 6. Moore acknowledged technology needs and expressed openness to working with the board. Public comment echoed the need for systemic changes.

Key Outcomes

• Items 1, 2, 3 – Liquor License Transfers: Each motion passed unanimously (3-0). The clerk was directed to prepare resolutions finding the transfers serve public convenience or necessity and to forward them to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations.
• Item 4 – Tree Canopy Hearing: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to continue the hearing to the call of the chair, allowing future follow-up. Supervisor Dorsey committed to continuing collaboration with DPW and community stakeholders to address funding, data systems, and planting policies.