(Spirit Lake)– Trial gets underway Thursday in Dickinson County District Court in a zoning dispute involving the city of Okoboji and Butch Parks, doing business as Okoboji Barz.
It stems from the city’s denial of a request from Parks to sell liquor from the former Okoboji Boats building, which he wants to convert to a marina, which would also sell food.
In court documents, Parks contends selling food and alcohol from the location would NOT violate the city’s zoning ordinance. The city argues otherwise, saying it would result in a substantial change in the nature and character of the use permitted under special use permits, violating the city’s zoning ordinance.
Parks is being represented by Phil Redenbaugh…a defense attorney from Storm Lake. The city is being represented by it’s attorney, Mike Chosen.
This isn’t the first time the city and Parks have gone to court over the former Okoboji Boats property. In may of 2001 a portion of the building was leased to Eddie Gochenour who sold broasted chicken to boaters. Siting zoning issues, the city went to court seeking a permanent injunction against the operation. On September 17th, 2001 Judge Joseph Straub issued a ruling denying the city’s request for the injunction.
