(Okoboji)– The city of Okoboji and businessman Butch Parks are at odds again.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to deny a request from Parks to expand the uses allowed under a special exception use permit for Okoboji Boat Works. It would have allowed for things such as a restaurant, bar, tennis court, swimming pools and other amenities.
Parks told the commission his request to expand the operations at Okoboji Boats is a key part of a vision for what he describes as the “marina district”, adding he’s invested some six million dollars to date in Okoboji Boats alone.
The proposal didn’t sit well though with many neighbors who were in the crowd, which overflowed the Community Room at the Arnolds Park City Hall. They sited concern over noise, indecency, pollution, vandalism, traffic and trespassing…among other issues.
Another person, who said she doesn’t live in the area of Smith’s Bay, said she feels the concerns were being blown out of proportion. She said she’s brought her grandchildren to the beach at Okoboji Boats on numerous occasions and never encountered problems with people that had too much to drink.
Following a public hearing that lasted more than an hour, the commission voted five-to-nothing to deny Parks’ request.
