Commission approves Blue Bottle Coffee conditional-use authorization for Upper Fillmore storefronts

The Planning Commission approved a conditional use authorization Oct. 15 allowing Blue Bottle Coffee to merge two existing storefronts at 2453–2455 Fillmore Street and operate as a formula retail limited restaurant under a nonconforming-use framework.

Planning staff said the site previously hosted a formula retail limited restaurant (Tully—s) and that the proposed use would not increase the total number of formula retail businesses in the Upper Fillmore Neighborhood Commercial District; staff cited Planning Code sections 178 and 186.1 as the authorizing provisions for a change of operator and minor expansion of a nonconforming use.

Jim Abrams, counsel to Blue Bottle, told the commission the proposal would fill a vacancy left since 2014 and that Blue Bottle coordinated with the prior tenant and neighborhood. Several neighborhood speakers supported local small businesses but some urged the commission to resist expanding formula retail frontage, arguing earlier neighborhood agreements prohibited new formula restaurants in the Upper Fillmore.

Commissioner Antonini moved to approve the authorization with conditions, finding the use compatible with the commercial character of the district and noting the expansion was limited and would fill a longstanding vacancy. The motion passed by roll call (vote recorded 4-0 with one commissioner absent).