By Jamie Taylor

Foto News Reporter

The City of Merrill Zoning Board of Appeals last Tuesday granted a variance to a local businessman that will allow him to remodel the former J&J Bakery at 818 E. 1st Street, sparing the historic building from the wrecking ball.

Craig Schulz purchased the building, which has always housed a bakery since it was built over 100 years ago, in September. He plans to remodel the building and reopen it as a bakery again. It would also be a new home for Pep’s Pizza Fries.

"Potentially we’re talking 12 jobs," Schulz said.

A variance was required for the remodel because the building has deteriorated to a point where it is worth less than half of its assessed value of $32,100, said Building Inspector Darin Pagel. He told the board that the roof on the building and the attached garage were in bad shape and that a casual inspection he had made of the building showed there might be other problems due to water damage.

"I feel it could easily be at least half of $32,100 to fix all the problems," he said.

Schulz did not deny the problem, saying the whole building needs a new roof. He plans to add an energy efficient roof that would result in a tax credit from WPS over the main building and replace the shingles on the garage portion himself.

He added that the total for all the repairs, many of which he will do himself, will cost "$17,000 and a lot of manual labor."

He cited the work he and his wife had done on the building across the street that houses their business Folkstar Art as proof that he could get the job done.

A couple members of the board, however, had doubts of Schulz’s ability to get the work done by June 1, in light of the long period of time he has taken to reside his own house.

Ron Burrow, who lives next door to Schulz on 4th Street, was the strongest critic.

"I have strong doubts that you will be able to get this done," he said.

Police Chief Ned Seubert also spoke against granting the variance, citing the problems the Merrill Police Department has had with junk at his other properties.

"I’m afraid J&J will be turned into another junk storage for his vehicles," Seubert said.

A motion to deny the variance was 2-2 with Chairman Bob Opsahl breaking to tie with a nay vote. He then made the motion that Schulz be given until July 30, 2010 to get the repairs made, with an inspection to be made in May to check on his progress. A further condition in granting the variance was that the problems with the land contract to sell the building that City Attorney Tom Haden pointed out be corrected. That motion passed 3-2.