Duboce Triangle bar Churchill, located at 198 Church St., is seeking to expand to its second floor with some help from a new ordinance introduced by District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener. The expansion aims to provide community space above the existing bar.

We spoke with Churchill co-owner Mike Goebel to learn more about plans for the space, which was used in the past for private events, and is currently used as an office. "We've been getting a lot of questions and ideas about the space from the neighborhood," Goebel explained. "We reached out to groups like DTNA and Castro CBD to learn what the community wanted. We plan to activate the space as something that can be used for charity events, fundraisers, and other activities that serve the community."

In order to accomplish their goals and host specific types of events, Churchill will have to officially expand the bar to the second floor, something that isn't possible under current zoning. "We currently can't even be considered due to rules, but Supervisor Wiener's ordinance provides a path to apply and go through the process," Goebel told us. "We'd still go through a review where planners and others would weigh in as we sought approval."

We spoke with Wiener's aide, Andres Power, who reiterated that the ordinance opens a door to second-floor bar expansions being considered for conditional use, and also shared thoughts on the current rules and need for the change. "Our planning code isn’t always nimble enough to solve for the needs of the neighborhood. Currently, in the Upper Market NCT zoning district, bars are not permitted on the second floor, even though there is precedent along the corridor for such use. In this particular case, I have introduced legislation that would allow the Planning Commission to consider whether an existing second-floor bar use should be allowed to pursue a path toward legalization through a conditional use hearing. Any decision by the Commission would be heavily guided by neighborhood feedback."

We asked Power if any other businesses have reached out to Wiener's office with similar requests. "It's only been Churchill so far," he told us.

Goebel stressed that while the basics of the plan are to expand the bar, the expansion is just a necessary means to an end, which is the community-driven space. "Our intention is to operate the space for meetings and community events. We're working close with our neighborhood and are optimistic about the plans."