Commission approves Ike’s Place move to 3489 Sixteenth Street with conditions after heated public debate

The Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Ike Shahada to relocate Ike’s Place to 3489 Sixteenth Street in the Castro/Upper Market area, after hours of public comment that sharply divided neighbors and merchants.

Ike Shahada described plans for a larger flagship store with a 10‑seat interior and expanded prep facilities; he told commissioners the new ovens and hood systems would reduce cook time and emissions compared with the old location. "We also, installed an iPhone application... where they can order, they can pay, and ... the phone will let them know when their order is ready," he said, explaining operational changes aimed at reducing sidewalk queueing. Opponents from the immediate block described repeated problems from the prior location — long lines, double parking, trash and late‑night noise — and urged denial or strict conditions. Supporters, including neighborhood merchants and nonprofit groups, said Ike’s had become a local economic contributor and pledged continued neighborhood engagement.

Planning staff recommended standard conditions for food uses and additional site‑specific requirements. Commissioners amended the staff motion to add explicit queuing language, require stronger trash/cleaning protocols and add a report‑back hearing approximately one year after occupancy to let the commission evaluate whether mitigation measures are effective. With those conditions the commission approved the permit.

The approval requires the operator to meet building and health code conditions (exhaust/venting, HACCP program) and to comply with neighborhood queuing and trash management provisions written into the conditions of approval. Commissioners said the one‑year follow‑up will allow the city to verify whether the proposed measures — including call‑ahead ordering, internal queuing space and additional staffing to manage lines — are working.