by Thomas K. Pendergast
A recent flare-up of tensions between neighbors of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant at 4649 Geary Blvd. and its owner came to an end, at least for now, when the SF Entertainment Commission approved a permit for the restaurant to stay open all hours except between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.
The restaurant's owner, Saeed Kahn, had applied for a permit to operate between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The previous permit to operate during these hours had expired when Kahn bought the franchise a couple of years ago, and Kahn said he had only recently become aware that he needed to renew the permit.
On Jan. 10 the Commission put off a decision so the stakeholders in the battle could try to resolve their differences. When they met again on Jan. 24, they agreed with the recommendations of the Richmond Police Station to keep the restaurant open from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., a time neighbors wanted the site closed to reduce noise and rowdiness from patrons eating after the bars closed.
Only Commissioner Al Perez voted against the station's recommendation.
Neighbors in the area saw an opportunity to limit the hours that the restaurant operates, after years of putting with, they say, loud, messy and sometimes dangerous patrons.
The lack of a permit came to light in December, after a Thanksgiving incident whereby a man was struck by a vehicle and sent to the hospital. As of presstime, the former Marine and firefighter was in a coma.
A police investigation concluded the assault was the result of an argument that started in the restaurant.
Go here for the full article at the Richmond Review newspaper website --->>>
