Home grown and seemingly ever-expanding La Boulange is looking to open a new location in West Portal, at the vacant site of the old St. Francis Market near the West Portal Muni station. Since La Boulange is technically formula retail (they have more than the threshold of 11 locations), they need to get Conditional Use approval at tomorrow's Planning Commission hearing. The plans for the building follow typical La Boulange motifs, with interior and exterior renovations and a set-back entrance to allow for patio seating. Neighbors have been pretty supportive, with 140 support letters submitted and support from the Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association, but earlier meetings hinted at concerns over parking, traffic, and distaste for formula retail in the area. Nevertheless, the majority of neighbors are supportive and Planning likes that the project will eliminate one of the eight vacant storefronts in the area. We're expecting happy approvals all around.
· Conditional Use Application - 16 West Portal Ave (pdf) [SF Planning]
· Around the Town · [Westside Observer]
· Previous Coverage of La Boulange [Curbed SF]
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