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Commission approves limited restaurant at West Portal after sponsor revises menu
Summary
After public concern about duplicated "juice bar" offerings, the applicant revised its menu and the commission approved a 1,423 sq ft limited restaurant with 26 seats at 40 West Portal Avenue by unanimous vote, with conditions and community outreach expectations.
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use authorization to establish a limited restaurant at 40 West Portal Avenue, voting 6-0 after hearing staff analysis and public comment. David Weisglass (Planning Department) told commissioners the project had initially filed a menu identical to an existing formula retail operator but the sponsor revised the menu; staff found the limited restaurant compatible with the general plan and recommended approval.
Sponsor representatives described a 1,423-square-foot space with 26 seats and daily hours, positioning the business as a neighborhood'oriented food option with juices, sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. Several neighbors opposed the application citing commercial concentration and the presence of another juice bar planned nearby; others urged support for independent small businesses. The sponsor said the original duplicate menu had been a submission error and presented a revised menu emphasizing salads, sandwiches and bagels.
Commissioner Hillis moved to approve the limited restaurant use and commissioners voted aye; the approval included standard conditions and the commission's expectations about community compatibility and that the project proceed under the revised menu the sponsor described at the hearing.
