April 29, 2026 • 4:25 pm
Dear Director Kirschbaum and SFMTA Staff,
We are writing to follow up on the recent ISCOTT approval of the proposed weekly farmers market on the 400 block of Hayes Street.
To be clear, there is broad openness among corridor businesses and residents to the concept of a farmers market in Hayes Valley. However, there are consistent concerns with siting this use on Hayes Street, particularly given the existing Shared Spaces closure, which remains under formal administrative complaint. Public input presented at the hearing did not consistently reflect businesses directly operating on the affected block. Since the hearing, we have heard directly from multiple corridor businesses who were not engaged prior to this proposal. Given the scale and recurring nature of this use, we would expect outreach and dialogue commensurate with its impact on the corridor. That has not occurred to date. The consistent theme is not opposition to the market itself, but concern that this location adds to an already constrained and unresolved situation without meaningful dialogue.
Lack of Coordination and Timing
At present, that matter remains unresolved, with a formal administrative complaint pending regarding the existing closure on this same block. Advancing an additional recurring use under these conditions raises concerns about consistency in program oversight and the sequencing of decisions affecting the corridor.
This introduces overlapping operational considerations related to access, deliveries, and overall corridor function. In addition, materials and operational details associated with the market were not made available to the public prior to the ISCOTT hearing and are now being obtained through formal records requests, further underscoring the lack of transparency in the approval process. This raises concerns as to whether a complete and transparent evaluation occurred prior to approval. Additionally, as discussed during the hearing, the existing Shared Spaces permit is being adjusted to accommodate the market. Given that this represents a change to approved operating conditions, it raises questions about whether this modification was reviewed in accordance with permit requirements, including whether a determination was made as to the need for additional approval or a new hearing.
Request for Pause and Engagement
Given these circumstances, we are requesting that SFMTA pause implementation of the farmers market for a defined period (e.g., 60 days) to allow for:
- Direct engagement with corridor businesses and residents
- A coordinated review of how this use interacts with the existing Shared Spaces closure
- Consideration of alternative locations within Hayes Valley that may better support a farmers market while avoiding existing constraints
We believe this is a reasonable step that reflects the level of concern being raised and the absence of meaningful dialogue to date.
Good Faith Efforts
We are also reaching out directly to the market operator to share context and explore whether there is openness to collaboration or adjustments that could better align with community input. At a minimum, we believe it is important that all parties have full visibility into the conditions and concerns surrounding this corridor before proceeding.
Process Considerations
As with the existing closure and other recent uses on this block, there is currently no clear path for appeal once approvals are granted. This makes it especially important that decisions are sequenced appropriately and informed by complete input before implementation occurs. The current approach, layering additional uses while underlying concerns remain unresolved, risks compounding impacts rather than addressing them. We believe the community should be given the opportunity to step back, engage directly, and arrive at a solution that reflects broader input and long-term viability.
We are also prepared to convene with SFMTA staff, corridor businesses, and the market operator to facilitate a more coordinated and inclusive discussion around next steps.
We respectfully request that SFMTA take this step prior to moving forward with implementation.