LPDS redux
As a lot of folks know, I began to focus this blog's efforts on our local political scene back in 2006. This was primarily because I got caught up in the La Puerta del Sol debate, and I was firmly for the approval of the rezoning.
It's been two years since that heated debate, and nothing has happened. What has happened, however, is that Bruno Rubio has opted to become one of the most easily distracted business owners in our community. He fights a zoning battle over on the eastside, and then runs a restaurant close to campus to help 'raise funds' to build that development.
So then, obviously his next move was to ... consider building a development out on Jefferson Road. His inability to even actively convey his wishes or communicate the reasons for his delays at the Cofer's site with the community have been most disappointing to me (and I'm quite sure there perfectly reasonable ones too).
Make no mistake, I'm all for the type of development that Rubio is proposing and that's one of the primary reasons I so adamently supported him two years ago. However, it must be noted, that back during the original discussion more than one person - for and against the proposal - would say to me something along the lines of 'it's a great idea, but I just wish there was a different businessman who was more focused pushing forward this idea.'
The point being that Rubio was widely known as somebody who was good at starting up a project, but not following through with it. Whether or not this is true about him or merely unnecessary gossip in the community is not clear to me, though.
Now, let me be clear on this as I'm not advocating that the extension not be granted, as I think Rubio should be granted it. However, the lack of progress at the site, coupled with his ability to be so easily distracted by other ventures, is more than disappointing to so many who strongly supported him and his goal of bringing this mixed-use development to the Eastside.
P.S. - This, by the way, offers no judgement on Rubio's empanadas or chicken sandwiches ... both of which are spectacular.
It's been two years since that heated debate, and nothing has happened. What has happened, however, is that Bruno Rubio has opted to become one of the most easily distracted business owners in our community. He fights a zoning battle over on the eastside, and then runs a restaurant close to campus to help 'raise funds' to build that development.
So then, obviously his next move was to ... consider building a development out on Jefferson Road. His inability to even actively convey his wishes or communicate the reasons for his delays at the Cofer's site with the community have been most disappointing to me (and I'm quite sure there perfectly reasonable ones too).
Make no mistake, I'm all for the type of development that Rubio is proposing and that's one of the primary reasons I so adamently supported him two years ago. However, it must be noted, that back during the original discussion more than one person - for and against the proposal - would say to me something along the lines of 'it's a great idea, but I just wish there was a different businessman who was more focused pushing forward this idea.'
The point being that Rubio was widely known as somebody who was good at starting up a project, but not following through with it. Whether or not this is true about him or merely unnecessary gossip in the community is not clear to me, though.
Now, let me be clear on this as I'm not advocating that the extension not be granted, as I think Rubio should be granted it. However, the lack of progress at the site, coupled with his ability to be so easily distracted by other ventures, is more than disappointing to so many who strongly supported him and his goal of bringing this mixed-use development to the Eastside.
P.S. - This, by the way, offers no judgement on Rubio's empanadas or chicken sandwiches ... both of which are spectacular.
posted by Jmac at 8:45 AM
9 Comments:
What you call "his ability to be so easily distracted" might as well be called "doing what it takes to pay the bills."
And it's like wishing for Carl Jordan, but without Idaho. These are human beings, and if we wish, we can highlight, magnify, and deconstruct the flaws we perceive in anyone.
I'd say it's a little of this and a little of that, but that second paragraph above is right on.
I don't disagree necessarily, particularly with, as Hillary notes, the second paragraph. However, one can offer a rather rational critique of Rubio's business plans with regard to your first paragraph.
It just seems very puzzling to me that, after all of the effort he put into securing the property and gaining the zoning approval, that he would then move onto the Jefferson Road project. To me, it's more about priorities and balancing what is and isn't feasible.
I've just started my own business, but it would have been foolish for me to go out and snatch up some nice office space because I don't have that income quite yet. Rather, I'm operating within my means and running my shop out of my home.
In his defense, Rubio identified what he views as a prime piece of property, purchased it and battled to gain the appropriate zoning. However, the property taxes I imagine he pays, as well as balancing the costs of his current business, coupled with his desire to open a venture on Jefferson Road, make you wonder if he's overreaching.
Listen, I like Rubio and I love the man's food, so I hope that LPDS comes to be. I'm just somewhat skeptical these days.
I've avoided commenting on Rubio for the most part, because I have some familiarity with how he does his business, and I would characterize it as "highly unprofessionally." I'm glad to discuss that privately, if you like. But the nuts and bolts of running it, other than those addressable by tax or environmental or health law, are really not appropriate for consideration in the rezoning request.
I liked the project in theory, but think it's mediocre in terms of the rezoning request. The local residents are right that it's against the zoning, and that it will be a more obtrusive use than what's there now that may possibly open the gateway to the remainder of that street. But...that street is already going commercial, and is already subject to a lot of uses that occasionally approximate the same kinds of impacts as the Rubio project.
Which brings me to another point...it's just plain wrong to approve a change in the zoning because you like the project. Like, I feel bad regarding the recovery house that was forced to move -- but we can't choose to disregard the laws for them merely because their work is meritorious. Ditto the Boys and Girls Club. So, if Rubio's project weren't at least partially compelling, then it should have gotten no consideration whatsoever. And I don't mean "compelling" as in "I'd like a place to drink a margarita," but "compelling" as in "constituting a reasonable and legally defensible modification to the existing documents."
My question is what has changed (besides possible political viewpoint) on this project? The corridor is still the same, there is no overlay district on it like was at one time proposed, the surrounding land uses are identical to those that were there in 2006. If it was acceptable back then for technical reasons, then it should be extended based on those same reasons since they have not changed.
However, zoning is 99.5 percent political and they elected officials can do whatever they want with zoning decisions without a technical basis if they so desire.
I for one hopes that Rubio can get his finances in order and move this one forward.
On 05-18-2006 (check it out yourself in deed book 3096 page 157) Bruno Rubio paid Stuart Cofer $650,000 for 1245 CEDAR SHOALS DR
Figure out the taxes yourself, I'm guessing somewhere in around $500/month
Mr. Rubio lives in a modest 2200 sq ft house that he paid $139,000 for back in 2001
Interest alone on the $650,000 (I didn't check to see if he paid all cash or how much he may have borrowed on the Cofer property) would run him around $3000/month (assuming he put down 20% and financed the rest)
I haven't even looked up the Jefferson Road property yet, but Mr. Rubio ain't doing too bad for himself
My question?
How come he can't afford a liquor license on his Lumpkin Street restaurant?
If I'm not mistaken, he couldn't get it because it's too close to Barrow Elementary. I think he could apply for one now but probably doesn't want to go through what the folks from Mamma's Boy just had to.
Perhaps he can't afford it because he has all those other bills. You can't argue from his other expenses to a conclusion that he can obviously afford some other expense. ??
Economics is all about the margins.
Now the question is will the zoning requirements be watered down to allow Bruno to have his restaurant without the current restrictions on brown bagging . At Bruno's other restaurants he has had a brownbag policy regardless of location. If you go by his current restaurant on Lumpkin on a Friday afternoon, the cases of beer are abundant to the point that these kids must be getting drunk. Not a real problem if people walk, but on the eastside it is far more likely that people will drive and the potential for drunk driving will increase substantially. I drive that road everyday, so this could impact me directly. I would think the city would also be against brown bagged alcohol since they don't see a dime. I hope they keep the standards high for this location and keep the restriction on brown bagging, --Myella
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