2025-10-28 MIN BZA Regular Meeting
MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
• Chair Orenstein called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and read the Land Acknowledgement.
a. Members Present: Tapio, Orenstein, Brookins, Corrado, Commissioner VanOss
b. Student Member: Vacant
c. Staff Members Present: Chloe McGuire, Deputy Community Development Director,
Jacquelyn Kramer, Senior Planner, Steven Okey, Associate Planner
d. Council Liaison: Councilor La Mere-Anderson
2. Consent Agenda
2.a. Approval of Agenda
2.b. Approval of September 23, 2025 Meeting Minutes
• Corrado made a motion to approve.
• Brookins seconded.
• Voted unanimously for approval.
3. Public Hearings
3.a. 7345 Country Club Drive
Applicant: Paul Jacob on behalf of Schuller’s Tavern
Request: Request for a variance from the City Code Section 113-88 Single-Family Residential R-1
Zoning District, subsection (f)(1)a and b to reduce the front setback on the southern lot line
from 35 feet to 4 feet to allow for the installation of a 16-foot by 7-foot exterior walk-in
cooler/freezer.
• Okey presented the staff report.
• Corrado asked how tall the walk-in cooler/freezer would be.
• Okey stated that it will be 96in tall.
• Corrado asked if they would be able to have access to it from the east side.
• Okey stated that they would not be able to punch through the kitchen to put a door on
that side.
• Brookins asked if the addition of the cooler would help with the external storage issues.
• Corrado asked if there are any extra considerations they should take since this
restaurant is in a residential zone.
• Okey stated that he does not think there are any additional considerations.
• Tapio asked if the cooler is considered a secondary structure.
• Okey stated that it is considered mechanical equipment.
• Applicant Paul and Mark Jacob spoke:
o He stated that he and his brother operate the restaurant. He noted that since
the business has expanded, they are in need of additional space. He stated that
they would like to keep the food cooler and the beer cooler separate from each
October 28, 2025 – 7 pm
City Hall: Council Chamber
Hybrid Meeting: Teams/Phone
City of Golden Valley BZA Meeting Minutes
October 28, 2025 – 7 pm
2
other. He provided further information on the fence surrounding the cooler. He
explained the current process for storing beer kegs.
• Corrado asked what would happen with the existing interior cooler.
• Paul Jacob stated that it will be used for beer and wine storage.
• Orenstein opened the public hearing.
• Megan Palkert stated that she lives across the street from the property. She stated that
there is a lot of traffic in and out of the side door of the building. She asked if the
addition of the cooler would affect that in any way.
• Okey stated that the side door will remain there, because that is the EDA accessible
entrance.
• Palkert also asked what maintenance this will require. She noted that a few months ago,
the kitchen was being cleaned late at night, and it kept her family up due to the noise.
• Paul Jacob stated that maintenance is very minimal and just requires light cleaning.
• Orenstein asked if there was anyone online who wished to speak.
• McGuire confirmed no one was online who wished to speak.
• Orenstein closed the public hearing.
• Orenstein stated that all requirements seem to be met, and he has no issues with the
request.
• Corrado noted that his only concern was that the interior was going to be expanded, but
he noted that this does not seem to be the case. He stated that he sees no issues with
what they are requesting.
• Tapio stated that he is in favor, and it seems like it will alleviate food safety concerns.
• Brookins stated that he has no issues with the request.
• Van Oss asked if the ADA accessibility would still be clear with the addition of the
cooler.
• Okey noted that they measured, and it still leaves ample room for access.
• Van Oss stated that he has no issues.
• Orenstein asked for a motion.
• Corrado motioned to approve the variance request.
• Orenstein seconded
• Vote was taken and approved unanimously.
4. Council Liaison Report
• None.
5. Staff and Board Member Updates
5.a. Staff Comments
• None.
6. Adjourn
• Chair Orenstein adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.