Commission approves 'Swirlberry' yogurt shop at 2150 Irving Street

Elizabeth Waddy of the Planning Department summarized the request for conditional‑use authorization to allow a roughly 300‑square‑foot self‑service restaurant (doing business as Swirlberry) at 2150 Irving Street in the NC2 zoning district. "Staff has determined that the proposed small restaurant meets all of the criteria listed in the planning code and is consistent with all relevant policies of the general plan," Waddy said.

Local businesses and residents offered mixed testimony. Roberto Heckscher, who identified himself as a nearby Baskin‑Robbins franchisee, argued that Irving Street already has a dense concentration of food establishments and warned of parking congestion. "Parking is completely maxed out and trying to drive either east or west on Irving Street is very time consuming," Heckscher said. Project sponsor Roy Lam and supporters, including the Outer Sunset Merchants Association and the Irving Street Merchant Association, said the concept — low‑fat, low‑sugar frozen yogurt — fills a neighborhood niche and would not materially change traffic patterns.

Commissioners debated saturation and parking but concluded the business met code criteria for a neighborhood commercial location. Commissioner Soo Lee and others noted parking constraints but said those concerns were a separate policy issue. The commission voted to approve the conditional‑use authorization with the conditions recommended by staff.

Ending: The applicant may proceed with the conditioned permits; neighbors were encouraged to work with staff and transit planners on broader parking and loading issues along Irving Street.