Councilmembers Leave Meeting Without Schuller's Tavern Decision

Everyone loves Schuller's Tavern. That's one thing that the Golden Valley City Council could agree on at their meeting last Wednesday night. 

But passion for the long-standing restaurant might not be enough. Owner Ray Jacob is facing city zoning and general land use plan map issues that could prevent him from building a patio--an entity that he says might save his business. 

On July 9, the Planning Commission held a regarding the re-purposing of Schuller's land. On August 8, the City Council reviewed the Planning Commission's request to deny a change in land use.

After two hours of discussion, the City Council decided to leave their meeting without a decision about the use of the land. Instead, they tasked the Planning Commission to think broadly about zoning in Golden Valley. Councilmember Joanie Clausen suggested creating a light commerical zone, a designation that might solve Schuller's patio issue.

"I love Schuller's," said Councilmember Paula Pentel. "But we need to level the playing field. There are unforeseen consequences to changing the land use map."

Councilmember Mike Freiberg agreed. "If there is a way to give Schuller's a patio without rezoning, I'm open to that," he said. 

When Schuller's Tavern was built in 1929, it was constructed in a residential neighborhood. In the 1950s, the building was zoned residential, making Schuller's a non-conforming use within the zoning district. Unfortunately for Schuller's, buildings that are zoned as a non-conforming use can't expand without a change to the general use land map. In Schuller's case, the land use would have to change from residential to commercial.

Council chambers were filled with neighbors who weren't afraid to share their thoughts during Wednesday's public hearing.

"I don't think changing the zoning is fair to the homeowners who live in the neighborhood," neighbor Ellen Mickelson said. "If anything, Schuller's could spruce up the landscaping."

Neighbor Nancy Azzam voiced her frustrations with the city's zoning technicalities. "I would hate to see this family driven out of business because of all this bureaucratic stuff," Azzam said. "I can't think of any other eating establishment in Golden Valley where you are greeted by your first name."

Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris tried to mediate the discussion between Councilmembers. "There are clearly some people that feel Schuller's is a worthy institution to support, but there are concerns about future use," Harris said. "By taking no action, it means that we have to address the larger zoning issue and bring [Schuller's issue] back up in the future."