SF supes’ panel backs fixed seating at Castro Theatre

by John Ferrannini

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Transportation Committee voted 2-1 April 17 in favor of an amendment to landmark the fixed orchestra seating in the Castro Theatre.

The amendment, offered by District 5 Supervisor and committee vice chair Dean Preston, adds “fixed theatrical seating configured in movie palace style” at the Castro Theatre. The committee – which consists of Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, Preston, and chair District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar – has to vote on the expanded interior landmarking and the amendment once more, next Monday.

The matter of interior landmarking for the Castro Theatre will then go to the full Board of Supervisors, which makes the final decision.

It is largely what opponents of Another Planet have wanted since the Historic Preservation Commission in February recommended interior landmarking of the movie palace but only with the “presence of seating.”

Many supporters of Another Planet and the Castro Theatre Conservancy, which lob- bied for the fixed seating amendment, spoke during public comment.

The vote came two weeks after Peskin issued an ultimatum to theater operator Another Planet Entertainment to come to an agreement with the community. As gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman explained at the meeting’s outset, no agree- ment has materialized.

“I am, unfortunately, sad to report we have not had luck in those negotiations,” Mandelman stated. “Although there were moments in the last several weeks, both sides in my view have done things and taken positions that ensure there would not be one at least not for now.”

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