In an effort to fill large vacant storefronts along Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco is moving to put out the welcome mat with a streamlined approval process for chain stores.
Supervisors Stephen Sherrill and Daniel Sauter have introduced legislation to speed permitting for “formula retail” on a one-mile stretch of the Van Ness corridor between Redwood Street just north of City Hall and Broadway.
The measure, which defines formula retail as a chain with 11 or more outlets, would exempt stores that open along that part of Van Ness from going through a process that requires approval of the city’s Planning Commission and can take up to 18 months, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
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