Folks living near Corona and Espanola streets don’t want to see their Patty Jewett neighborhood go to the dogs. So they are fighting efforts by Dr. Sam Rubinson to sell the building where he’s had his surgical practice since 1994 and turn it into a veterinarian clinic.
Here is a map of the neighborhood.
The building is a few blocks from the Bon Shopping Center, the Patty Jewett Golf Course, an automotive repair shop, coffee shop and other commercial properties.
Rubinson’s small building has no kitchen or baths. Rubinson spent $150,000 to turn it into a modern medical building with reception area, office, exam rooms and filing room. Two sides of the building have no windows and it has a small loading dock and handicapped ramp – not your typical home ammenities.
Here are some photos of the building.
It has been used commercially almost exclusively since it was built more than 80 years ago, said Steve Tuck, city planner.
It first showed up in a 1925 Polk Directory as G.F. Vittetoe Grocery. By 1926 it was Roth Grocery, E.E. Sleppy Grocery, then Dependable Grocery and Market through the 1930s then Allen’s Market in the ’40s.
It was listed as Food Bank Grocery in the 1950s. In 1960 it was Cecil’s Meats and Grocery. Then Paul’s.
It showed up as vacant in 1969 and 1971. In 1975 it was listed as See Home Repair and in the years since it was the offices of a pharmacy, a surgical supply and was home to advertising, printing and photography work as Keyser Litho Ink in 1990-94. Here’s a couple more views of it.
The Planning Commission considered the building’s fate at its July meeting. Here is a link to the agenda item with the staff report, photos and maps and a letter from the neighborhood opposition group: corona-clinic.pdf
It approved a variance to allow the clinic within the residential zone. But only if it was owned and operated by the two vets who made the application — Debra Stirling and Melaine Marsden.
Rubinson said hostile neighborhood reaction has scared the vets off. Now he’s left with a building and a worthless variance. He is frustrated and is appealing the decision to the City Council. Neighbors also are appealing arguing no variance should be approved.
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I find it absolutely appalling that the neighborhood bullies don’t have anything better to do with their time than to stick their noses into something that would better that area (which frankly could use it). Get over the power trip and creating issues that are not valid. It says alot that these vets would even consider that area and for them to walk away from a HUGE monetary investment and lose it says alot. These people need to get over themselves and FAST! They should be ashamed of themselves. By the way..in case no one has noticed the traffic is pretty busy on Fontanero so I’m guessing the traffic wouldn’t be any worse with this veterinary clinic there which is also an issue they have brought up. I find this unbelievable that adults would be so hateful and inconsiderate…anyone looking to buy in that area should avoid it….just look at the lovely neighbors you could enjoy!