(Okoboji)– Meeting in special session Tuesday, the Okoboji city council voted to renew a class “C” liquor license for Butch Parks and Okoboji Boats, with some stipulations.
The license initially came up for renewal back in July, when the council voted three-to-two to reject it, citing a non-conforming use provision in the city’s zoning ordinance. Parks appealed the action to district court Judge Mike Duffy who overturned the city’s action, citing a special use permit that was issued by the City Board of Adjustment in 1973. As a result, Parks filed a lawsuit against the three council members who voted against the license, accusing them of contempt.
The city has appealed Duffy’s ruling to the state Supreme Court, which has yet to issue a ruling. City Attorney Mike Chozen says Tuesday’s action approving the liquor license includes a provision allowing the city to rescind the license should the Supreme Court rule in its favor.
Chozen expects the Supreme Court will issue a ruling sometime in early 2006.
There are still two related lawsuits pending in District Court. Parks is appealing the city’s rejection of a liquor license for another business he owns, the O’Farrell Sisters Restaurant. And the city has filed action against Okoboji Boats charging they aren’t in compliance with the city’s parking ordinance. There’s no word on when those rulings will be handed down.
(With help from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
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