Neighbors split as commission continues decision on proposed 7‑Eleven at 3400 Mission Street

The Planning Commission continued a contentious conditional‑use request on May 27 to convert the convenience store at 3400 Mission Street (corner of 30th) to a 7‑Eleven franchise until July 1, 2010, after hours of neighborhood testimony both opposing and supporting the proposal.

Diego Sanchez, planning staff, recommended approval with conditions, describing the proposal as a conversion that would keep the gas station operation and add roughly 150 square feet for storage/office while remaining a neighborhood‑serving use under the planning code. Project representatives and the owners, Somil and Nirmal Gandhi, said the franchise arrangement would improve product selection and pricing and help keep the business viable; they pledged not to sell alcohol and to add security cameras, lighting and a five‑foot landscaping strip to address loitering concerns.

Opponents — including the Northwest Border Alliance, Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and other neighborhood groups — argued the corridor already has multiple formula‑retail presences (Safeway, Walgreens, Burger King, Pizza Hut) and that granting a formula‑retail conditional use would erode the character of Mission Street and harm small, locally owned businesses. Petitioners presented signatures in opposition; supporters submitted hundreds of signatures and letters from local merchants backing the Gandhi family.

Commission discussion focused on whether branding as a formula retailer is "necessary and desirable" where similar goods are already available nearby. Several commissioners said they could see both sides: the site is an existing convenience store (so not a new use), but the neighborhood has substantial formula retail and pedestrian/traffic concerns. Commissioner Lee moved to continue the item to allow further outreach between the sponsor and neighborhood representatives; the motion to continue to July 1, 2010 passed unanimously with the public hearing left open.