Polk Street debate: commissioners ok midnight food service and require window repairs, 6‑month review

The Planning Commission on March 25 took up a contested request from La Perilla Grill (Polk Street) to extend operations later into the evening. Owners asked to serve food and alcohol later; the Planning Department proposed allowing food service until midnight and recommended conditions, and the Police Department supported midnight food service but recommended limiting alcohol sales after 10 p.m.

The item drew one of the meeting's largest public turnouts. Neighbors and organized groups including Middle Polk Neighborhood Association opposed later alcohol service, citing an existing density of liquor licenses, late‑night loitering and complaints about sidewalk cleanliness. Opponents urged the commission to preserve the neighborhood—s balance and to avoid intensifying bar activity. Planning staff and the owner debated store visibility, loading and enforcement conditions.

Supporters — including many regular patrons, veterans groups and employees — said late‑night food is scarce on Polk, that the restaurant is family‑oriented and central to local economic activity, and that additional hours would preserve jobs and help the business survive in the recession. Police testimony noted no calls for service specifically tied to the restaurant address but recommended cautious conditions.

After extended debate the commission adopted a motion (majority) to allow extended food hours with the following elements: permit the restaurant—s food service until midnight; require facade/window repairs within a defined period; set a six‑month return/review to report on compliance and neighborhood impacts; and strongly encourage continued mediation/dialogue between the owner and neighborhood groups. The motion also asked staff to incorporate monitoring and enforcement conditions from the Planning Department and to ensure coordination with the Police Department. Commissioners said they favored clear, enforceable conditions and ongoing neighborhood engagement rather than a simple denial that would leave the restaurant with its existing authorization unchanged.

The vote reflected a split record: commissioners weighed neighborhood saturation concerns and the need to support local retailers and jobs in a difficult economic moment. The commission—s decision allows the restaurant to extend late‑night food service under heightened monitoring; alcohol‑service restrictions and any further extensions are subject to subsequent review and enforcement.