Schade Creek Vineyard Owner Says City Officials Are Trying to Force Him Out of Waukee

To hear it from Kurt Schade, the city of Waukee is doing everything it can to keep his boutique wine business from flourishing.

"We think residents would be furious to know all that's gone on, particularly the actions of Mike Watts in utilizing the police department to harass us," Schade said. "It's deplorable of a public servant ... of a councilman."

Schade's appearance in front of the was just another step in a miles-long race to get his dream business of making and selling wine off the ground.

The argument between the city of Waukee and the dates back to 2007 when Schade first approached city officials about starting a vineyard on the 13 acres at the end of University Avenue and Warrior Lane.

Councilman Mike Watts told Waukee Patch the argument stems from a disagreement Schade had with Waukee's Board of Adjustment.

In 2007, Schade applied for a permit to build a shed to store lawn mowers and other small equipment. According to Watts, that shed is now a 5,760-square-foot commercial building housing Schade Creek's winery. The building includes a kitchen, a bar and seating for parties and events. Watts said it is not properly licensed to operate a business.

Schade admits there was so much that both parties - he and city administration - didn't know at first about how to start a vineyard in Waukee. One thing, in particular, Schade wanted to clarify, is that the "shed" in question was always designated to be a landmark on the property, contrary to Watts' suggestion otherwise.

"Brad (Deets) said he was not familiar with wineries," explained Schade. "But he knew beforehand of our intended use of the building when we filed the permit."

Schade believes the real reason for all the roadblocks is because the city wants to cut a path through his land to expand University Avenue. That land, on the south side of his property, is currently the site of growing vines that will inevitably be Schade Creek's next big crop.

He said even as recently as a few weeks ago, after a sit-down with Deets, the city's interim administrator, it looked as though the two might resolve their differences. Schade said while they agreed on items in a planned urban development overlay, once it was drafted for his approval the terms had changed, limiting the scope of business he could do at the winery.

"They're trying to force a property owner to agree to terms that are favorable only to the city," Schade said. "They want me to agree to give them that land which has grape vines on it, and they also want me to agree to pay an assessment for it."

Schade said right now, his future in Waukee is uncertain. He and his wife, Jana, recently built a home on the property and would like to stay in Waukee, but fear that may not be possible if they can't come to terms with city officials.

"There is not one resident that I know of that is not very much in favor of us conducting business here," he said. "We're residents and taxpayers in Waukee. We deserve better than this."

Check back to Waukee Patch today for updates on this progressing story.

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