makes an francisco a great city. the general plan memorialize the city's commitment to preserve existing performance spaces in an interview to that vibrancy. this is a city-wide cultural institution and should be treated similarly to other concert halls in towns such as davies hall and the opera house and the golden gate theaters and phil gramm auditorium. the masonic has lived side by side with apartments and hotels and will do so for more years. they were built after the masonic opened. fear was expressed that it would be rendered more destructive to the neighborhood. it is belied by the last three years of professional management

by live nation. they have operated the venue since 2009 and there have been no incidents requiring police or other emergency response at the masonic. number of events, their operations have fluctuated. there is a wide variety of activities and events hosted since 1958. we have submitted evidence of the range in number of events. there have been 237 days. an average of 54 being live entertainment. because the masonic was approved as a permitted use rather than conditional in 1956, there have never been any limits on the number of bands, the time, or or any other operation can -- operating conditions. we recommend you impose a limit. during this interim period we have an absolute maximum of 25% over the historic average.

we have 68 live entertainment events. we do not believe the limit is necessary, in the interest of being good neighbors, we are willing to accept that limitation. this is an upper limit, not a minimum. this is an intensification of the masonic's operations. there is no number to the limits amount -- allowed. i urge you to follow the established practice for what constitutes an intensification of the nonconforming use. the maximum of 287 event days a year compared to an average of 229 is a continuation of existing operations, not an

intensification. the coalition continues to urge the strict limitations for -- be placed on alcohol service. this has resulted in any external offense or nuisance complaints. alcoholic beverages were served at some events but not others. alcoholic service was provided at 88% of live entertainment events and 34% of all limits. of gollott beverages were available. farrs were set up in five locations. multiple points of sale at each bar. masonic has a permit concession. since 2010 thpermits have been issued. the masons, livenation and

avatar do not anticipate any change in events. to continue current operations, we expect the commission to leave this issue in the state of the abc which has considered granting a permanent license. that is all i have for now. i would like to reserve time for rebuttal. nex>> we do not allow rebuttal time. we will have general public comment, two minutes per person.

our firs speakers. >> hello. thank you for hearing me. i came to talk about life nation. i live near the venue. i have a couple of hats. i have a rental property. i think that will be impacted in my life style and rental property. based on what is being asked for. if one looks at the public record, looking at the website and the financials of live nation, first of all, there is

an ongoing conversation about good citizenship. people carrying their own share. the contributors to the overall good. live nation is a company that in their financials last year did $1.6 billion worth of business and created $81 million worth of cash. this is good for their shareholders and paid $0 tax. in fact, they asked to recoup tax from previous years. this is not the company the city of san francesco should want to deal with. secondarily, live nation, if you analyze their financials, it will show that they make more from the sale of liquor than they do as a contribution for

the sale of tickets. this is completely different from san francisco jazz which makes money from ticket sales or business meeting. these are people who were in the business of getting people drunk. >> good afternoon. i am a union member and i have moved back to san francisco last year. i have been two different commission meetings regarding workforce development in san francisco and the different boards and commissions regarding that. i have met with the mayor's office of the -- entertainment. i think that san francisco needs to remember that we have lost many great venues over the years due to gentrification and when

we have those losses of the news we have losses of income. there is an entertainment tax when you purchase concert tickets, is that true? yes. we have a 9.5 revenue or sales tax and we have the entertainment tax. we have revenue from all performances and entertainment. we have jobs also. i work at one of the venues like this and so do many of my colleagues. we have tax income, we have san francisco being a vibrant city supporting the arts and entertainment which brings further people who want to come and visit and bring their industries here. there are several things at stake. i hope you support this venue. it is operating for 60 years with the interest of arts entertainment and working with the neighborhood and community. i have heard arguments before the meeting of congested and traffic. it seems like those things have been dealt with for 60 years and

have been worked with. i would like you to support this. thank you for your time. >> good afternoon. i am dead co 04 live nation's northern california business as well as california venues. thank you for a time. over three years the nation has provided some of the most quality entertainment in san francisco. we have been in this market for over 40 years during the fillmore and other venues. most recently provided great 49ers event with to montana. -- joe montana. with several personalities.

these are not names that strike fear in the hearts of people of san francisco. these are special events. we have improved communication with the neighborhood providing updates. over three years we have passed on business. we felt the events might be right for the neighborhood and the venue, we felt the neighbors might not think it is right for the neighborhood. we have taken a conservative path. most recently were asked by a church to do in eastern band and after communicating with our neighbor across the street about that being their most important day of the year, we bypassed a significant financial opportunity. we wanted to be a good neighbor. we said no.

we provided consistent rules and management since 2010. we have abided by the rules that were set forth by you even after those rules and the c.u.p were deemed void. we provided security and a cleaning presence in the neighborhood. thank you for your time. >> good afternoon. richard floyd. this is all about greed. san francisco seems to be more interested in entertainment and quality of night -- life. take for instance, here. people have the right to walk down the street without having huge crowds going to the venue. if you go past 2000 people, it is all right. when it goes beyond, this is we've got here. you have a green light and

stopping all over, cable cars come to a stop, that is no good. in 9-for-11, -- 9/4/11, they put on an event and they were bribed by live nation. here is what we were dealing with. it goes on and on, kickbacks and this is the people you like to deal with, i don't know. you voted last time against our

neighborhood and i am sure you're going to vote again. and then we were told that we were racist by ms. borden. we have black people in our neighborhood that look just like you. the only difference is they have a brain. president miguel: we appreciate you being civil. >> get over it. a freemason schmuck is what you are. president miguel: i have to consider from home that comes. those of you who are by the door, there is a fire code. please take a seat. >> good afternoon. thank you for the opportunity to

speak. president miguel: i am sorry, i have not called your name. our next speakers. >> all of you who are standing here on this wall, the president has asked you to find a seat. if you cannot find a seat, can you stand on the other side of the room? you create a fire hazard by surrounding that door. thank you so much. >> get afternoon, commissioners. my name is michael barrett. i have been a nom hill resident for over 30 years. during those years i have been in the beverage and hotel business and i know quite a bit of what goes on. originally in 1958, the masonic

auditorium was billed for a charitable and just causes. they have done an awful lot of that. not an entertainment capital. the same time, grace cathedral was built for worshiping. they do a little of entertainment just like the masonic auditorium used to do. this has been going on, everybody from the live nation have mentioned 2010, 2011, since 2006, they have been running that venue. what they want is a permanent use of liquor license and all that. which everybody -- the neighbors have been complaining since 2006 they do not want it. my attitude is, grace cathedral

and masonic should continue doing their charitable and worthwhile organizations. they're not in the industry of entertainment and they should not be. live nation is and should not be given a continual free rein. i would like to see this city 3 you execute non-compliance with licenses for live nation to continue at the masonic auditorium. thank you for your time. president miguel: thank you. >> i am jay glazer, a resident of nob hill. i am concerned about the prospect of an imbalance in the voting by this commission. i have stated this in the past and it focuses upon commissioner miguel's association as a

present or past master of the masonic order. i do understand that you did receive from the city and county attorney a pass on this. i understand that. you made mention of it. i appreciate that very much. i would like to ask, however, because of my concerns, that you do obtain a letter or document from the city and county attorney to place in the file that he does not believe that there is any problem with conflict of interest where you are concerned. i would very much appreciate seeing such a letter. i have nothing further to add. president miguel: thank you. i will forward your request to the city attorney and have the city attorney determine how they

will handle it. >> that afternoon, commissioners. -- good afternoon, commissioners. i am director of operations for avatar. i would like to say that i have been involved with the food and beverage industry for over 25 years since getting involved with live nation and masons at the masonic center. i have never been involved in an operation that was more careful and more concerned with making sure there is compliance in all aspects of insuring the neighborhood well-being was there and we were complying with all the conditions that have been applied to a venue. as a long-term resident, and a former resident of nob hill, i always enjoyed nob hill and the masonic center for the entertainment events and cultural events that happen there. i would hope i would be able to do so regardless if i am o

involved in the project. thank you for your time. president miguel: thank you. >> good afternoon. i am audrey joseph. i sit on the san francisco entertainment commission but i am here today as a citizen. several years ago the board of supervisors passed a resolution to preserve music and culture and its venues. the masonic meets this criterion. besides being an historic venue, these types of the news provide more jobs per square foot than any other retail. the jobs are not in just the technical field. they provide unskilled labor which we desperately need. i hope you will support this. i support it very strongly. losing the masonic, an iconic building and an iconic venue would be a sad day for san

francisco. both the mayor and members of the board recognized entertainment as an economic driver. i hope that will also be considered. thank you. president miguel: thank you. our next speakers. >> good afternoon. i am the dean of grace cathedral since 2010. i make it clear that i speak on behalf of the trustees of grace cathedral who mandated me to do this. i also reflect the concerns of parishioners and parents. the cathedral is the episcopal cathedral. a house of prayer for all people. and an iconic place for worship, the arts, and community conversation. it's plaza and outdoor laboratory in the outdoor spaces

dedicated to prayer. this is used by a sanctuary prayer. we have a boys' school of 250 boys and a preschool has 21 children. these are located across from the masonic temple. the cathedral -- we're not opposed to the civic events. we have this. we understand the concepts and faith-based events are necessary to raise money for the masonic buildings. we're concerned of the question of making these events right size to margaret brick, and a tight number and length. we have arts events and concerts and civic conversation this and we take great care in making them appropriate in size and number and length and so forth print we are concerned the masonic temple, location and recommendations do not accurately reflect historic use

for it they have overstated historic use with regard to the number of bars, the question of a liquor license, the number of evening events, and propose an innovation which is the creation proposed for former bus zones and use of sure path -- pass. we urge that there is some modification of the conditions of approval in those four areas. thank you. president miguel: thank you. >> thank you. i am a resident at 777 california street and i am speaking on behalf of the nob hill coalition. you have received my letter is submitted october 6, 2011. sent to the planning department

and copies to the commissioners and it addresses many of my concerns. i would like to make a general point and agree with commissioner antonini. our city's reputation for stability, being a comfortable place, secure place to live is very strong for all bus. and the neighbors who lived on nob hill see that trend by this project. as a reminder to all of us, we need to focus with stability within this room for comments that are offensive to the board members. there were not paid -- made by me or on behalf of our neighborhood but nevertheless, i apologize them. we do not need to be offensive. there is only one issue here. our coalition, our neighborhoods have formally expressed the position that we would not oppose the extension of permits.

the continuation of activities. as long as there is no intensification and use. the real issue before the mission is not issues like jobs, collateral but what are the conditions of use? we have put in strong evidence and in that regard i would like to thank you. just one point of concern. we believe the arguments are overextended. we have made their request for a letter of termination and it needs to be addressed. president miguel: i am sorry, same time for everyone. >> good afternoon.

is that ok now? i live at 1177 california st. for more than 35 years. i have read the application and proposals. i do not have a problem with masonic temple but i am concerned with the misrepresentation in the application. the applicant is not just continuing historic conditional work -- use. i worked as an usher regularly at the masonic temple from 2001 until 2006 and in a few shows in 2008 and have firsthand experience with its history. i worked at concerts, graduations, exhibitions, and lectures and everything else. i was a head usher in the

balcony for most of the events i worked as part of a special skeleton staff who were the head ushers and ticket takers at masonic. during my eighth tenure at masonic, our staff worked four hour shifts. i recall that most of the shows, and it by 10:00 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. there were a few that went over. that is because of wanting an encore for the performances. there were a few sold-out shows like van morrison or some jazz performances. broadway on ice in december had poor attendance. most events did not serve alcohol. if alcohol was served, it was limited to a single bar on the ground floor lobby outside the gates of the auditorium and on only rare occasions was there a bar set up in the lobby. i have never seen more than two bars. alcohol was served before events

in during intermission, not allowed in the auditorium. as is the case with davies and the opera that i also worked in. president miguel: thank you. are there additional public comments? if you would like to put here. i have no more cards. >> thank you for giving me another opportunity and they proper time. i am the president of the local 16, stage and moving picture technicians. we have enjoyed a great relationship through our bargaining agreements to work at the nob hill masonic auditorium. we ask you to continue this practice that has gone on for over 50 years, allow live nation who has reached out to the

community, seen their objections, tried to deal with all of them and i believe have dealt with them very well. one of the things i am here for is the nearly 900 members we have that have an opportunity to work in this historic, iconic venue. we need to continue with this. members of our local and workers that work carries have enjoyed a livable wage that was offered through these agreements before san francisco enacted a livable wage. we ask you to continue to allow this to happen. this menu is not only one that brings in quality entertainment, many of which shows have spent all sorts of music chandra -- genres, they also bring tax money. if we look at the corporate work alone, we can find out that that is a huge piece of economic benefit to san

francisco. restricting the nob hill masonic, restricting the opportunity to do that takes that away. i thank you once again for your time and apologize for my earlier in discretion. -- indiscretion. >> thank you. i live at 1177 california st.. i have lived in the neighborhood for 26 years and i and gramercy towers for the last 27 years -- in gramercy towers for the last 27 years. i have attended many events. part of the reason that half my life ago i moved into that neighborhood was because of the masonic auditorium. because of the events there. the speaker series, the jazz festival, the concert, and so on. what we have seen in the last several years is different