Roost Cafe and Coffee shop trying to open on Oak St?

[Adam White]

It seems to be the nature of neighborhood business in Riverside at the moment. Every issue becomes a pitched battle.

Every issue is not a battle, its about quality of life. How would you like a neighbor who lied to you and said, Oh yeah, I was going to have room for 60 people have a nice little cafe for people to enjoy, get everyone excited about the project, cause there is really nothing for a couple blocks, only to be LIED TO and you have to find out from public filings that the douchebag developer wants to make it 150 seats and turn your quiet area of Riverside into an outdoor music park on weekends, clogging the streets, leaving trash, and turning your neighborhood, your investment into a trashy version of what it formerly was?

I am sympathetic to the plight of the locals. If I still lived there (used to live on Oak by Stockton), I would be opposed. But I think the statement above is over the top and is a great example of how people on both sides of this issue can't seem to discuss it rationally.

[Captain Zissou]

Murray will eventually find that it does not have the infrastructure to handle increased traffic and cars, it already has issues around the 1100 block as cars block the intersection of Mayflower and Edgewood. Edgewood is also a race track between 10 and 17 at times of the day, that will be addressed, you think you want the success now, beware, its a double-edged sword. Ask the people around King Street if they enjoy the new beer district and the new attention to the area....

Regardless of how the people in the "beer district" feel about it, their homes have become more desirable if not more valuable because of the increased commercial activity. 

Also, it sounds like Edgewood will never have the perfect amount of traffic that you're looking for, so just give up.  You're only going to make yourself crazy(er).

[Tacachale]

It seems to be the nature of neighborhood business in Riverside at the moment. Every issue becomes a pitched battle.

Spoken like a person who does not live in the neighborhood!

Every issue is not a battle, its about quality of life. How would you like a neighbor who lied to you and said, Oh yeah, I was going to have room for 60 people have a nice little cafe for people to enjoy, get everyone excited about the project, cause there is really nothing for a couple blocks, only to be LIED TO and you have to find out from public filings that the douchebag developer wants to make it 150 seats and turn your quiet area of Riverside into an outdoor music park on weekends, clogging the streets, leaving trash, and turning your neighborhood, your investment into a trashy version of what it formerly was?

Are there not enough empty spots in Springfield? Hey, why not get some of the Springfield Zealots after this project, I am sure that Main Street is in need of a replacement after 9th and Main had its hey-day, the Pearl left and the area struggles to grow a commercial base. Is a 150 seat boom box the only thing that Stein can find for that space?

Murray will eventually find that it does not have the infrastructure to handle increased traffic and cars, it already has issues around the 1100 block as cars block the intersection of Mayflower and Edgewood. Edgewood is also a race track between 10 and 17 at times of the day, that will be addressed, you think you want the success now, beware, its a double-edged sword. Ask the people around King Street if they enjoy the new beer district and the new attention to the area....

I live in San Marco. And I didn't say anything about this development besides the battleground mentality surrounding it. Thanks for making my point for me.

[mtraininjax]

You're only going to make yourself crazy(er).

pot calling the kettle black! lol

But I think the statement above is over the top and is a great example of how people on both sides of this issue can't seem to discuss it rationally.

neighbors are not using guns or hangings to discuss the issue, the discussions are quite rational.not sure why you would say that they are not.

I live in San Marco.

home of the 10 million dollar tear-down, that's preservation for you!?

[Adam White]

But I think the statement above is over the top and is a great example of how people on both sides of this issue can't seem to discuss it rationally.

neighbors are not using guns or hangings to discuss the issue, the discussions are quite rational.not sure why you would say that they are not.

So, that's your standard for determining whether or not something is rational? Shootings and hangings? I'll reset my expectations accordingly when responding to your comments in the future.

[thelakelander]

What's next for Riverside's The Roost development

Riverside's The Roost development has raised significant attention – both negative and positive – since being proposed last fall.
Now, the potential 150-seat restaurant, which is planned for the former Deluxe Cleaners building on Oak Street that houses Snap Fitness pending the approval of a planned unit development, will go through a series of public hearings before a City Council vote.

The planning commission will review the development on March 17. If approved, the development will be sent to the Land Use and Development Committee.

A City Council Public Hearing will be held on March 22 at 5 p.m. before the Land Use and Development Committee hears it on April 5.

Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2016/03/whats-next-for-riversides-the-roost-development.html

[thelakelander]

Riverside residents protest Roost restaurant plans, citing parking problems

By Tiffanie Reynolds Mon, May 2, 2016 @ 7:38 pm

Red balloons lined both sides of Oak Street in Riverside for a block and a half Monday evening, but it didn't lead to a celebration.
About a dozen Riverside residents gathered in front of Snap Fitness and former Deluxe Dry Cleaners and Laundromat in the 2200 block of Oak St. to protest a proposed Planned Unit Development zoning for the Roost restaurant. They held signs saying 'Don't Roost Here" and chanting "This PUD is a dud."

The protest was organized to highlight the impact of parking on surrounding residents if the PUD zoning for the restaurant is approved by City Council.

Travis Orr, who lives a block away, said his home is next to several businesses and in walking distance to Five Points. Parking isn't a problem because he's not in the middle of retail in Five Point. But it wouldn't be the same for residents on Oak Street.

"I'm just at the tail end of it. People park there and then they walk into Five Points and they come back," Orr said Monday. "We don't have a parking lot, which is what this would end up being."

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-05-02/story/riverside-residents-protest-roost-restaurant-plans-citing-parking

[Captain Zissou]

It looks like that site and the back lot can be reworked to include far more than the 41 parking spots the article mentions.  Snap fitness and the laundromat don't need more than 8 spaces at any given time.  I don't think a restaurant is the highest and best use for that site, but reduce the seat count to 100 and let's get this moving.

[Dog Walker]

There were WAY more than a dozen people at the protest, but the reporter chose only to count the ones directly in front of Deluxe and Snap.  An honest editing error or an effort to diminish the number of people opposed to the project?

[Kay]

It looks like that site and the back lot can be reworked to include far more than the 41 parking spots the article mentions.  Snap fitness and the laundromat don't need more than 8 spaces at any given time.  I don't think a restaurant is the highest and best use for that site, but reduce the seat count to 100 and let's get this moving.

If they provide the required 10-foot buffer next to residential uses and landscape the parking lot to code, they can only get 34 or 35 spaces in the lot.

[thelakelander]

Riverside's The Roost developer talks about backlash, restaurant plans

The developer of the planned Riverside restaurant that has attracted some heat from residents says he's optimistic about the upcoming zoning showdown.

Ted Stein, one half of the development team for in-the-works restaurant The Roost, said the group organizing the protests, P.R.O.U.D., does not represent the general sentiment.

"We feel the facts are on our side and the crowd does not represent the whole neighborhood," Stein said. "That will be evident."
Stein and business partner JC Demetree have faced pushback since proposing the restaurant in a 5,000 square foot space in the former De Luxe Launderette and Deluxe Laundry and Dry Cleaners. Because the Oak Street shopping plaza, anchored by Snap Fitness, is zoned for commercial, residential and office, the space is going through a planned unit development.

Stein said putting the building into reuse is important, rather than letting the building sit vacant.
"As a young entrepreneur that's getting to know the next generation of Riverside through this process, we need to keep progressing, to fill in abandoned buildings," Stein said.

Full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2016/05/riversides-the-roost-developer-talks-about.html

[JaxAvondale]

Did they finalize a date & time to reconvene the meeting?

[Sentient]

It looks like that site and the back lot can be reworked to include far more than the 41 parking spots the article mentions.  Snap fitness and the laundromat don't need more than 8 spaces at any given time.  I don't think a restaurant is the highest and best use for that site, but reduce the seat count to 100 and let's get this moving.

The whole issue, in all these disputes revolves around the sale of the Duval Daemon Alcohol...  They can't get a SRX license at that spot for 100 seats, need 150.  They can't make money without alcohol sales...

Simple solution would be to eliminate the 150 seat requirement everywhere.. not just specially RAP chosen zones.

[dp8541]

Just for my personal knowledge, are there two types of liquor licenses available?  I always hear about the issue with restaurants needing 150 seats to qualify to purchase the license.  Is there a separate type of license that bar only establishments can obtain (like Rogue or Loft on King St, or Sidecar in San marco for example).

[Sentient]

Just for my personal knowledge, are there two types of liquor licenses available?  I always hear about the issue with restaurants needing 150 seats to qualify to purchase the license.  Is there a separate type of license that bar only establishments can obtain (like Rogue or Loft on King St, or Sidecar in San marco for example).

Yes a COP 4 license, which is what true bars and liquor stores have.  Which are limited artificially by population, hence there is a monopoly in effect, they trade hands for in excess of $300k when they are available.  similar to taxi medallions in rationing.  SRX is an accommodation to restaurants, but you have square footage (2,500) and minimum seating requirements (150) and must have total revenues equal 51% food sales and 49% beverage sales.  The J Bill introduced after the secret Biscotti's licensing attempt reduces these to 100 seats but only in a few designated areas in 5 points, Avondale etc.  Not this strip.