Thu, 24 Jan 2008
North Beach Nimbys
Yet another annoying San Francisco anti-biz story in the Chronicle here. I can understand the thinking behind their rules, but pulling the permits after approving them and after all the paperwork has been signed is evil.
Martha Garland, the executive director of the North Beach Chamber of Commerce who blew the whistle on Kwon's enterprise, says regardless of the timing, the law is the law.Sounds like Martha Garland has too much power, and it sounds like SF continues to be a place that isn't friendly towards business. Just think of all the times this must be happening and we don't hear about it because the business owners *weren't* on Survivor. 24 Jan 15:46 | /rants_and_raves | 1 comment(s)
As is so often the case in San Francisco, this comes down to politics. There are enough hazy rulings to make everyone think he is right. For his part, Kwon says his group was granted a building permit on Nov. 13. He says he can prove that there were only four Red Mango restaurants when he applied for the permit and that there were fewer than 11 when his group got its building permit. He also says the process was delayed by the city until the other Red Mango outlets opened.
"I don't really believe that," said Garland.
And, she was asked, if it is true?
"I'd still fight it," she said.
But if Kwon's version holds up, the logic of the banning his store does seem a little shaky. What if a permit is granted with just four outlets in the country and then someone in Durham, N.C., suddenly decided to open eight stores? Would that mean your permit would be pulled?
"I think that's a valid argument," said Tony Gantner of the North Beach Merchants Association.
