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Commission approves NutriShop on Polk Street despite merchant opposition, 5-2
Summary
After hours of testimony from merchants, neighborhood groups and the applicant, the Planning Commission granted conditional-use authorization for a NutriShop formula retail store at 1118 Polk Street by a 5-2 vote; opponents argued the chain would harm existing small sellers and compete with nearby supplement retailers.
The Planning Commission on May 8 approved a conditional-use permit allowing NutriShop, a licensed national nutrition retail brand, to open at 1118 Polk Street. The staff report recommended approval because the site had been vacant, the applicant (Jason Miller) operates as an individual licensee (not a franchisor) and the use would serve nearby gyms and fitness customers.
Public comment was sharply divided. Local competitor owners described fierce margin pressure and intense competition in the sports-nutrition market, arguing another similar store could displace existing small businesses. Community groups and some nearby merchants urged caution and said the neighborhood is in the midst of a local-retail resurgence that should prioritize independent proprietors. Supporters, including customers who travel to the applicant27s Sunnyvale store, said the applicant is a small business owner, not a corporate chain, that provides in-store service and would activate a long-vacant storefront.
Commissioners weighed vacancy and neighborhood-serving considerations against clustering of similar formula retailers. The motion to approve carried 5-2 (Commissioners Borden and Moore voted no). The approval allows the store to open subject to conditions and monitoring under the neighborhood commercial district rules.
The record shows the Planning Department surveyed commercial frontage and found Polk27s formula-retail concentration would remain below citywide averages with the proposed use. The decision reflects the commission27s application of neighborhood-concentration tests under the NCD rules and the conditional-use standards for formula retailers.
