Small Thrill On Nob Hill

Live Nation-SF and the Masonic Center on Nob Hill appear to have knocked back at least one threat from neighbors opposed to the expansion of concerts and upgrade of the facility, as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave its blessing, with more conditions, on a 10-1 vote May 4.

Neither side in the dispute likely went away completely happy, with board president David Chiu saying it was the best outcome, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Live Nation will be allowed to stage up to 85 events per year, down from the 95 previously approved by the planning commission, and the capacity was also fixed at a maximum of 3,300 – about the same as now but 200 fewer than previously approved.

In all, 15 new conditions were tacked on to the existing 41 that were already agreed to in order for the venue and promoter to move forward, including reduction in the number of late-night events and police approval of security plans. Live Nation SF chairman Lee Smith told the Chronicle the conditions were acceptable.

The battle may be won, but the fight continues.

Opponents of the expansion filed suit in Superior Court the previous week over the project’s lack of an environmental impact report.