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Commission approves La Peria Grill—s full-liquor conditional use on Polk with six-month police follow-up
Summary
After weeks of neighborhood debate and mixed testimony, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use allowing La Peria Grill to expand to a full-liquor (Type 47/40-7) service provided the restaurant adheres to strict operating conditions and the Police Department reports back in six months.
The Planning Commission voted Feb. 14 to approve La Peria Grill—s conditional use request to operate with a full-liquor license (Type 47) at 1760 Polk Street, with a set of conditions intended to ensure the business remains a food-focused full-service restaurant and not a late-night bar. The approval passed on a 4-2 vote, with Commissioners Moore and Olague voting no.
The Police Department opposed the request, citing an ABC census-tract calculation the station shared with the commission showing an area already overconcentrated with on-sale liquor licenses. Officer John Gallagher of Northern Station said the department would support the project if the applicant relocated an existing license from the immediate neighborhood rather than bringing a new full-liquor license into an already saturated tract.
Supporters and neighbors countered that La Peria operates as a family-style restaurant and that a full liquor license is necessary for business viability: "If my clients were asking for a margarita to compliment their meal and I offered them something that wasn't truly the ingredients...I might not appreciate the good quality burrito or taco," one supporter testified. Owner Vladimir Abramov and his representatives told the commission they would operate as a full-service restaurant, close at 10 p.m., and were willing to accept conditions limiting hours and requiring food service with alcohol.
Commissioners who voted to approve highlighted the limits of the police argument and the ability of conditions to shape operations. The winning motion included a requirement that Planning staff request a Police Department status report within six months to assess neighborhood impacts and compliance with conditions.
What happens next: the approval includes conditions limiting hours and requiring that alcohol be served only with meals; the Police Department will provide a report six months after the approval so the commission and community can assess outcomes.
Key quote: "If they're not following the conditions, if they're not abiding by what we've said...then that's an issue that has to be taken up with those who are causing the problem," Commissioner Mike Antonini said during the debate.
