San Francisco Supervisors To Delay Controversial Castro Theatre Vote

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is planning to delay what is expected to be a close and contentious vote on changes to the landmark status of the legendary Castro Theatre.

The vote was originally scheduled for Tuesday's board meeting, but is being postponed due to a board member's family obligations. The vote is now expected to take place June 6, according to the Bay Area Reporter.

The vote deals with legislation that would restrict changes to the floor plan of the iconic movie palace. Another Planet Entertainment, the theater's operator, is seeking to modify the floor to accommodate uses other than film screenings.

Another Planet's proposals were subject to amendments in committee, and the bill was forwarded to the board by the Land Use and Transportation Committee. The vote was expected to be close: Land use committee chair Myrna Melgar opposes it, as does the Castro's home supervisor, Rafael Mandelman, who was planning to offer an amendment to undo the committee's changes.

Another Planet's changes to the Castro have been the subject of controversy since last year. Neighborhood activists and groups allied with the film industry formed a front to oppose the changes to the theater; the nonprofit Castro Theatre Conservancy has offered to take over management.

Meanwhile, Another Planet Entertainment has planned further changes that are set to be heard before a joint session of the Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions Thursday. Mandelman told the Bay Area Reporter that that meeting is likely to be continued as well.

The delay at the Board of Supervisors is due to the planned absence of District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani, who is in Merced to be with her father who is ill with Lewy body dementia.