Planning commission approves Polk Street takeout window with 9 p.m. time restriction after heated public comments

The Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use permit on May 8 that allows Cafe Zitona to install a recessed walk‑up takeout window at its Polk Street storefront, with the specific condition that the takeout window not operate past 9:00 p.m.

Staff presented the case for 1145 Polk Street (also referenced as 1201 Sutter) and reported a petition from Lower Polk Neighbors with over 400 signatures in favor. Cafe owner Najeeb Revga described his business’s neighborhood investment since 1984 and said the window would continue established operations without extending late‑night hours. Supporters in the audience testified that the restaurant had improved a formerly troubled corner.

Opponents, including long‑time neighborhood activists, warned the walkway could attract panhandling, late‑night loitering and other public‑safety problems in an area that already hosts multiple bars and social‑service clients. Robert Garcia of Save Our Streets said police‑call statistics and observed conditions on Polk Street made the proposal the “wrong place” for a takeout window. Others asked whether the takeout window might set a precedent for similar openings along Polk.

Commissioners debated conditions to balance neighborhood livability and the applicant’s business needs. Commissioner Miguel moved to approve the permit with an hour restriction, citing the owner’s prior willingness to operate earlier hours and offering the ability to return to the commission if later hours were later sought. The motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The permit is approved with a condition limiting takeout‑window hours to 9 p.m.; the applicant may seek a future modification or extension if conditions change.