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The Skyline Tavern has long been an institution in Portland’s West Hills. Now, the owner is seeking to gain retroactive approval for a series of nonconforming land uses on the property that would: 1, allow use of a single-family home for business and storage; 2, legalize an unpermitted enclosure of an existing outdoor patio; and 3, allow operating hours to extend to midnight.

Portland Bureau of Development Services staff approved the first two requests, but denied the third. Property owner Scott Ray Becker, however, has filed an appeal in an attempt to overturn the decision about operating hours. Though the tavern has been staying open until midnight, the city is requiring it to close by 11 p.m.

The tavern was built in 1920, according to city records, and has primarily served in that capacity while earning a reputation as a haven for blue-collar drinkers. But it eventually fell into disrepair and in December 2014 was put up for sale for little more than the value of the 2.2-acre parcel.

A few months later, the property was purchased by Becker, a filmmaker and environmentalist. He began restoring the tavern to its earlier glory as a respite for beer and burger lovers. And in 2016, Willamette Week named the Skyline Tavern its Bar of the Year.

More recently, however, a series of complaints about noise, opening hours, parking and un-permitted additions caught the attention of city officials. Because the tavern sits on land now zoned for residential use (its existing use is grandfathered), Becker in June 2018 filed for a Nonconforming Situation Review in order to clarify what he is or is not allowed to do with the property.

This process culminated Dec. 19 with the Bureau of Development Services decision to partially approve and partially deny Becker’s application for three specific nonconforming uses. For both approved uses, a building permit will be required.