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Planning commission schedules final decision on Lombard Pet Food Express after marathon hearing; matter continued to Sept. 12
Summary
After nearly five hours of testimony from hundreds of residents, merchants and animal‑welfare groups, the Planning Commission moved to register intent to disapprove Pet Food Express’s Lombard Street conditional‑use application and continued the matter for final action to Sept. 12 to allow staff to revisit prior findings and neighborhood concerns.
The Planning Commission on Aug. 8 heard more than three hours of public testimony — and hundreds of speakers — on Pet Food Express’s long‑running conditional‑use application for 2460 Lombard Street. Testimony balanced sharply: rescue and animal welfare groups highlighted the chain’s adoption programs and donations, while neighborhood merchants and residents argued the formula retailer would harm small independent pet shops and the district’s retail character.
Pet Food Express CEO Michael Levy told the commission his company has partnered with local animal rescues for years and that the Lombard site would include a cat adoption center operated by Pets Unlimited and the city’s only self‑service pet wash for that corridor. "We have helped save tens of thousands of animals and will continue to help even more," Levy said, noting more than $1.5 million donated to rescue and shelter groups.
Pets Unlimited’s Sally Wortman described the rescue group’s need to expand adoption access: "Expanding our adoption services into the Marina will give us a much broader base and visibility from which to achieve our mission," she said.
Opponents — organized merchant associations and many independent pet retailers — said Lombard is already served by three specialty pet stores and a Pet Food Express one mile away on California Street. They argued the proposed store would leverage corporate purchasing power to displace small local shops and urged denial. Several long‑time Chestnut Street merchants described loss of foot traffic and closures on their blocks after nearby formula retailers opened in past years.
Planning staff recommended approval, saying the NC3 district encompassing Lombard has a lower concentration of formula retail than nearby NC districts and that a Pet Food Express could act as an anchor to reduce vacancy and blight on Lombard. A consultant economic analysis submitted by the sponsor found no aggregate decline in specialty pet‑store sales citywide after prior Pet Food Express openings, though opponents disputed the scope and local impacts of that analysis.
After extended public comment, Commissioner Sugaya moved a motion of intent to disapprove and to continue the matter to Sept. 12 so staff could revisit prior findings and updated evidence, and to limit future public comment to the specific findings. The motion passed 6–1. The commission directed staff to re‑examine the earlier 2009 decision path, the applicant’s proximity to existing PFE stores, and whether the Lombard NC district remains appropriate for this use. The continuance gives the commission time to consider citywide policy revisions on formula retail already under discussion.
Speakers quoted: "We have helped save tens of thousands of animals and will continue to help even more," Michael Levy said. Pets Unlimited's Sally Wortman said the adoption center would "help find homes for cats and raise awareness" of homeless animals.
What’s next: The matter is continued to Sept. 12; staff will return with focused findings and the commission will take a final vote then.
