i see the japan towne mall almost as the community's main street. that is where things are happening. that is where you meet your neighbors and friends who do not live in the city anymore. when we all started the application for the store which originally met resistance, and as we were listening and guiding discussion, it was interesting to see that it was a large community of participation and warm up to the way we are seeing it. i feel the biggest mistake is in the questionable application by which this project was brought forward. how was it scratched out not to fit, and that bothers me. i could not be more clear about it, because even when we have southern applications every day we have other applications, we have always taken a stand back approach, and i want to take a stand track approach to this one. i have been on this long enough, and i remember the very unfortunate discussions we have had, and that is a name you will remember easily. i want to kind those -- to find ways to support this project but more on the side of caution. >> i do have

in japan town nearby, their struggles for land use. two-thirds of the commercial property had been purchased by venture capital from los angeles. because of the economic downturn, the certainty of where japan town direction is going is really in doubt. when you have one of only three japan towns in the united states and oldest being in san francisco, city needs to regroup to its commitment in making sure that we preserve the culture identity and the uniqueness of japan town just as we would for chinatown or just as we would for any other part of the culture. the same theory returns back in approach to the african-american community and the fillmore, which was really the epicenter of the black community. sunset dealing with quality of life issues, upper haight, gateway from the west side to the east side of the city deals with a montage of issues, dealing from quality of life, dealing from its legacy of the 1960's, and dealing with and trying to reconcile the natural tension between people that like to hang out in haight street versus p

i support all of the efforts in japan town. i would move to approve the project was modified by back. -- modified by that. >> we have talked about the retail issue, and it seems as if technically they do not meet the definition of formula retail. then there is also this conditional use criteria under the japan town special use district, and this is seeing -- being brought to us as a d r. does this not apply to this particular project? >> there is no conditional use requirements. >> the language is confusing. it implies there is a conditional use. >> if it was formula retail. >> about was my first conclusion, but then it looks like they are separate items. i understand it is not a special use requirement. the final when it is the staff made the point that it is different from a lot of other fast-food outlets but they can only have to treat and desserts. one would assume the food is cooked on the spot. is that what they plan to do? >> i think the project sponsor might be able to better answer that question. there would just be so

one of the missions is to preserve and maintain the culture of japan town community, and one of the main elements is and will be the small independent family-run businesses. good looking at the applications, -- after looking at the applications, a makes me quite suspicious and believe they really are a formula retail restaurant. i have nothing against the owners, but i do not support a formula retail restaurant that will have an unfair advantage over the existing, small, independently run family businesses. the independent merchants are the fabric of our community, and by looking out for them today, we will be looking out for the culture of japan town for the future. i encourage you to take a closer look at this. >> good evening, commissioners. >> if you have an application that says mcdonald's, and this says joe blow's burgers, and you start with a big mac and fries, but over time, that changes to over 50% of mcdonald's menu. if this happens, and what action will occur? we have made a mistake. i guess we will have to turn the page. special use district was designed to enhance and protec

hill-tenderloin area, based on what is identified here, is there nothing moving westward towards japan town? -- japantown? >> this is bounded by franklin, van ness, but to date, we have received most of the requests for pedestrian and safety improvements from neighborhoods to the east of van ness, so we have focused on that. >> -- supervisor mirkarimi: ok, i have let it be known that as this relates to it, with japan town, there is a large and growing number of seniors, a number of senior complexes in the area, and it is hard to negotiate the streets, including at franklin, in the surrounding areas, and i am surprised that that would actually be missing in this area, and with you and your experience with japan town, you know that. >> thank you. we will take a note of that and see what we can do. president chiu: supervisor avalos? supervisor avalos: thank you, president chiu. my questions are going to be around work force to the moment, and one of the things i heard was that we would have something that resembled the first source program, which gave me some concern, because the first source

and the eastern neighborhoods and market octavia and maybe we should propose to do it in japan town. and that is something if we're thinking about doing one type of planning and as far as surveys, the surveys at times i think i see them as a planner and part of the data collection effort. and what kind of properties there are and the uses there are that all goes into the database from which the plan emerges and from that standpoint, i am not talking about independent surveys and informing the public and the planning staff and the commission that is a fairly use ful tools. >> thank you for acknowledging something at the beginning that you don't support and there have been a lot of debates and you are either on this side and with the emails and letters and that it's just no, no, no. and i don't think that's productive and in terms of balloting, i think there is a significant distinction between historic district and the area plan and the historic districts are much, much smaller than the area plan, but in contrast to the rezoning and immediate and significant impacts on the ability to

. >>> one of the oldest businesses in japan town is closing up shom this weekend. the market opened in the city within months of the 1906 earthquake. had is in san francisco. the family-owned store has changed locations several times but considered by many to be an anchor to the japan town business community. some shoppers say they were stunned to find it would shut its doors on new year's eve. >> unfortunately japan town is somewhat losing its identity, you might say because of the change in ownership. >> the owner of the store declined to talk about the imminent closure. some customers say the fact that many mainstream markets have added more japanese products to the shelves have made it hard for that store to compete. >>> still ahead at 6:00, indecency or necessity. one had women uniting across the country at a popular chain of stores. >>> would you pay up to $350 to spend the night at a former 400-year-old military base? the people building this hotel at the presidio are banking on it. i'm traci grant. we'll show you more coming up. >>> plus the clock is tickin

because japan town has been engaged in this planning process for so long, i would encourage the current owners to begin to be engage with the community, and i think part of what you are seeing today is based upon that mistrust, and the fact you have allowed them to move in, i was actually there over the weekend and found it to be quite fine. -- fun. i actually bought something, and it does bring people to the malls. i think we have seen a lot of these. planning staff is very accommodating about trying to legalize the use, and i do not think that is a good way to proceed. i hope they will continue to become more community friendly. >> i have of a problem on this one. number one, allowing the expansion, when you know allowing them to expand without going through the planning process first, that is ridiculous. much smaller occupants require a business plan. he is a nice gentlemen. he does not even know exactly what his menu is going to be, and he has had until the beginning of this year to put something together. the other big problem is somebody put their foot into it when they crossed ou

japan town is looking to do the same thing there, with the hispanic population of the mission following closely behind. >> thank you. >> what has prompted the decision to put the lgbtq and those initials, what prompted the heritage district to be placed in soma? why there? >> why in west soma? we have a history going back past world war ii. it was part of the lgbtq community. not just the bars and bathhouses, but the businesses and social organizations. they all got their start there. and so, like the filipino community, where they were pushed out of manilatown, there is just no place left to be approached, for the lgbtq community. they have dug in their heels and this is where they plant our stake. >> thank you very much, again. is there any public comment on this report? please come forward and limit your remarks to 3 minutes. try not to repeat what other people have said. >> can you give me just a moment to shut this down? >> bring this to you -- >> hello, everyone. i am a queer nightlife producer and a small-business advocate on the stabilization fund. i am here and i will ramble de

at the heritage friend level, coalition of asian-american government employees, japan town merchant associations of san francisco, ktsf television, sugar bowl bakery, and union bank. and media partners, abc-7, a.m. 1400, asian week.com, comcast, and choir.net, ktsf tv, s.f. gov tv, the examiner and world channel. thank you so much for your support. [applause] and if you're -- this celebration also received the support of so many individuals as well as professional small businesses and community organizations. you'll see their names listed on the screen and in the program book. and on the website. a.p.a. -- apasf.org. those attending this celebration for the past few years, we have been treated to so many fabulous and unique ethnic, cultural performances. this year, certainly no exception. the northern california cherry blossom festival just celebrated its 44th year. during which the 2011 queen and court was selected. so tonight, the 2011 court will perform their opening number from the queens program, choreographed by mickey nowitzki and music by shina ringo entitled ringo uotota. please welcome

the japan town bowling alley was eliminated in favor of development. in multiple tennis courts are deteriorated as we speak. over 1/3 of them are unplayable. think about the big vision of san francisco and where this takes us. i started when i got here at the age of 25 playing at the golden gate way. that club is responsible for lots of people in the exercise and recreation they can enjoy it while in san francisco. the flip side of the this is that the city has passed a regulation. that is great. we need to keep people healthy. we have a healthy san francisco law to keep people healthy. we have a signed to take the stairs to get healthy. the message you are sending is that if you want to be healthy, leave town. it will not happen if you are in san francisco. think about the big picture of what is happening to the city. if you want to look at it as a place for families, kids, and seniors -- i am 75. i am in the same shape i was in when i got here when i was 25. there has been no deterioration in my help. it is because i started playing at the golden gat

auditorium, markets books, yoshi, the new chicago barbershop, the fillmore heritage center, the japan town garage. this is a unique district and the only cbd and san francisco were there -- where one person represents 38%. yet achieved much to be proud of since thecbd began. we will continue working with you in 2012, even if the cbd does not renew today. continue working with you on the programs that will support the commercial districts success. cleaning and maintenance will continue and private property engagement. dpw has agreed to at the fillmore to its cleaning richmond in 2012. they will assign an ambassador to clean the sidewalks and remove graffiti from public places. they will do it four days a week off friday through monday, a love o'clock a.m. until 8:00 p.m. the office of economic workforce develop will continue working with your district identity marketing and russian programs through the emblem edition of the film or economic action plan. marketing and promotion includes special events: march and committee meetings, and website maintenance we will continue working god busines

they then went to the east bay memorial building in japan town to protest the passing of the national theorization act of 2012. >>> a complaint has prompted an independent investigation into a police shooting late last night. the shooting happened at a home in east san jose and left one man dead and another in jail. robert honda reports on what police say prompted the shooting. >> reporter: police say a unit of officers specializing in gang suppression stopped a 24- year-old at around 11:3 for carry an open container of beer. he ran into an house and when officers caught him he pulled a gun and threw it into a bedroom where another man picked it up. >> he was told to drop the gun and the individual pointed it at them and the officer did what he needed to do. >> reporter: he died at the hospital early this morning from a single gun shot wound. police say he has a criminal history including incidents of resisting arrest, assault and battery and domestic violence. late this afternoon someone filed a complaint that triggered action by the police auditor and the police internal affairs dep

. >> a landmark of the japan town will close tomorrow.the market is closing partly due to food prices which skyrocketed after this year's quake and tsunami. the market has been ing business on post street since the 1906 quake. the third generation wants to retire and the 4th doesn't want to run it. in news of the world in indiana cyclones battered the southern coast and left 33 dead. most of the deaths were from wall that collapsed or downed power lines. the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds that were clocking up to 85 miles an hour. it's expected to weaken over the next few days but fishermen are being told not to go out in to the ocean. >> in chile a fire is burning out of control in that country's most popular national park. so far 32 square miles have burned and the fire is spreading quickly. firefighters say it could take weeks to bring it under control in part because of 60-mile an hour winds. 400 tourists were evacuated and that park is now closed. >>> in canada a back country skier died in an avalanche. the man survived b

. >> a landmark of the japan town will close tomorrow. the market is closing partly due to food prices which skyrocketed after this year's quake and tsunami. the market has been doing business on post street since the 1906 quake. the third generation wants to retire and the 4th doesn't want to run it. in news of the world in indiana cyclones battered the southern coast and left 33 dead. most of the deaths were from wall that collapsed or downed power lines. the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds that were clocking up to 85 miles an hour. it's expected to weaken over the next few days but fishermen are being told not to go out in to the ocean. >> in chile a fire is burning out of control in that country's most popular national park. so far 32 square miles have burned and the fire is spreading quickly. firefighters say it could take weeks to bring it under control in part because of 60-mile an hour winds. 400 tourists were evacuated and that park is now closed. >>> in canada a back country skier died in an avalanche. the man survive

the market in japan town is closing partly due to japanese food prices which sky rocketed after the disaster. the market has been doing business on post street since the 1906 quake here that survived the family's internmentence is world war ii. the third generation wants to retire and a fourth generation doesn't want to run the store. the store closes tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. >>> some residential customers will see moderate increases in rates starting on january 1st. depending on your usage, your average bill will increase from $3 to $5. they will go to repairing and replacing aging infrastructure. >>> to election 2012. with days to go before the iowa caucus, candidates are criss crossing the state and lowing voters. as reporter emily schmidt tells us, one hopeful is taking a break before the big event. yo welcome -- . >> welcome to iowa. >> campaigning is crowded. >> and -- >> reporter: those regular folk are harder to find in the media frame. >> come on in. the cameras don't mind. >> reporter: this is important in a state where nearly all of the candidates have been a front runner at some poi

they then went to the east bay memorial building in japan town to protest the passing of the nationalheorization act of 2012. >>> a complaint has prompted an independent investigation into a police shooting late last night. the shooting happened at a home in east san jose and left one man dead and another in jail. robert honda reports on what police say prompted the shooting. >> reporter: police say a unit of officers specializing in gang suppression stopped a 24- year-old at around 11:3 for carry an open container of beer. he ran into an house and when officers caught him he pulled a gun and threw it into a bedroom where another man picked it up. >> he was told to drop the gun and the individual pointed it at them and the officer did what he needed to do. >> reporter: he died at the hospital early this morning from a single gun shot wound. police say he has a criminal history including incidents of resisting arrest, assault and battery and domestic violence. late this afternoon someone filed a complaint that triggered action by the police auditor and the police internal affairs depar

. >>> new this morning san francisco japan town is losing a landmark grocery store. this weekend the market will close its doors after doing business on post street for more than 100 years. we took this video just a short time ago. the family run business was effected by this years huge quake and tsunami in japan. that's because it made food from japan much more expensive. >>> i want to check in with tara on the roadways. >> good morning. we just have breaking news about a muni accident in san francisco. a police train and a police car collided. the bus operator and police officer have been transported to the hospital according to muni. we're trying to gather more information for you. we'll bring it to you a bit later. right now we will take a look at our maps where we do have a couple collisions here. we have an accident 880 northbound. a car has gone over the enbankment there. the chp is advising people to go slowly. it's extremely wet in this area. also we have a traffic hazard 680 northbound. a car that has had mechanical difficults and pulled over. up next we ta

the building to the edge as a four story barn building in the western addition neighborhoods in japan town, no injuries reported, but this has been upgraded from a four alarm fire to a five alarm fire and now expanded to a three story building next door. san francisco there. >>> also, republican presidential candidate newt gingrich has been criticized for his ties to freddie mac, but the former house speaker says he didn't even need to lobby for the mortgage giant because he was paid to generously to give speeches. christine romans takes a look at the speaking circuit so many politicians profit from because they're celebritied. >> newt gingrich this week said he made at least $35,000 for each speech he gave after leaving congress, but when it comes to public speaking fees, form former presidents make the most and bill clinton is king. wanted to show you this. wow, $75 million in speaking fees since leaving office in 2001. in 2008, he made more than half a million dollars for just one speech and in 2010, he was making about an average of 205 grand. ronald reagan sort of started this. he fam

the market in japan town is closing, partly due to japanese food prices which skyrocketed after the earthquakeeen doing business on post street since the 1906 san francisco earthquake but now the third generation wants to retire and the 4th generation does not want to run it. the market will close at 5:00 tonight. >> time now is 8:21. at&t park is set to host a bowl game a few hours from now but the coaches from one team are threatening to boycott. >> plus could changes be coming to college football's bowl season? a conversation with them ahead. >> a few high clouds ahead and a nice afternoon. we will take a look at your temperatures coming up. >>> well there is controversy coming from this afternoon's kraft sight hunger bowl in san francisco. the university of illinois had already fired its head coach but now 4 other coaches are threatening to boycott the game. they claim they have a year left but they are still worried they are going to lose their jobs after today. the game pits ucla against illinois, the are highlights of last year's game between nevada and boston college. today's game is u

he did this in japan and he sleepless me the last emperor. if you reigned supreme until june twenty town. brazil and fabricio were doomed sim shock waves through the sports when he made the other dept out for the first time in his life. two more the feats at the hands of fun tonio silva and henderson spoke for themselves good or was no longer the best. nevertheless he stayed in the game to the joy of those who still thought he was the greatest. then must go november the twenty million into claims and undisputed victory over jeff munson. this win was a good way to regain confidence but still not enough to silence the naysayers. now the last emperor is returning to the land of the rising sun to continue he's a viable. on new year's eve thirty five year old face bit to ponies up and comer the two thousand and eight olympic judo champion supple she should. use a record of pool wins in one day it may not be. impressive but suppose she's ten years younger and he's desperate to still bush's name at the summit of mixed martial arts builder is no less a stickler further spacing a much tougher tas

accidents at that same mine so far this year >>> bottles, cans and wood from japan have been washing up on the shores of a small town in western canada. some suspect it's debris from japan's earthquake and tsunami last march. scientists are tracking a debris field the size of california floating in the pacific. most of which will reach north america in 2013 and 2014. >> let's process that for a second. the size of california. >> yeah. >> incredible. >>> let's take a look at your weather from across the nation on this thursday morning. showers around d.c., philly, new york and beantown. also, a wintry mix in central massachusetts. two inches of mountain snow in northern new england. also, thunderstorms around memphis, shreveport and dallas. snow in northern minnesota and michigan. up to five inches of snow in the northern rockies and cascades. and showers from seattle to san francisco. >> 54 in sacramento. 43 in portland. and 38 in boise. fargo only gets up to 22. minneapolis, 31. and omaha, 36. mostly 50s from boston to baltimore. >>> well, it's good to be a pop star. coming up, a very lucrative year for lady gaga.

footballing sides but really the world club cup final was men against boys as barcelona went to town on some toss in japan the game advertised as messi vs name or soon turned into barcelona again sometimes goalkeeper rafael. the dominating the contests right with the opener coming from. seventeen minutes in i would double the lead for the european champion soon afterwards with this simply unable to even get the ball in and keep it really for long periods this third goal kicking off any trick at the end of the first abscess bobber against the score on the cherry was put on top after the break messi making it. more than enough to clinch their second club world cup title in three. three points adrift of domestic rivals real madrid in spain after the last good luck to close one on suffered a while on sunday third seed that ensured the premier league isn't a two horse race as yet with victory over malaga goal number one straight from the hall to score a textbook or berth to soledad zero finishing beautifully nine minutes from break and things went from good to better for the home side is just enough to be our

footballing sides but really the world club cup final was men against boys as barcelona went to town on sun toss in japan the game advertised as messi vs neymar soon turned into barcelona again some toss goalkeeper of the rafael. catalans dominating the contest through it with the opener coming from the. after seventeen minutes would double the lead for the european champion soon afterwards santos essentially unable to get anywhere near the ball farces third goal coming off any intrigue at the end of the first half cess gas with the final touch the cherry on top was added after the break messi making it for the blog run their first clinching their second club world cup title in. an astonishing record barsa though they do lie three points adrift of domestic rivals real madrid in spain after last the coast walnut on saturday while on sunday third seeded valencia ensured the premier league it isn't a two horse races yet victory over malaga goal number one well it was straight from the how to score textbook though soledad over finishing beautifully nine minutes from. the bright eye on things went from two to