Settlements and Verdicts

Grandfathered In

Spencer, IA: (May-09-08) Okoboji Boats owner Leo "Butch" Parks brought a lawsuit against the city of Okoboji, alleging that the city arbitrarily took steps to prevent him from fully operating his business. The November 2005 suit stated that Okoboji's city council ruled against Parks in a series of licensing, zoning and parking issues related to Okoboji Boat Works, a marina on West Lake Okoboji, and O'Farrell Sisters, a nearby restaurant owned by Parks.

Sources familiar with the negotiations stated that the two sides had resolved their dispute and that the city had agreed to pay Parks $500,000 to resolve allegations. The deal also avoided a trial that sources say was expected to last between three and six weeks. Officials involved with the suit stated that the settlement provides a full release of all past claims made against the city of Okoboji, its former mayor and council members. City sources stated that if any business is changed or expanded drastically, it would become a new establishment in the eyes of the government entity. The changes would then be subject to the most recent zoning requirements of the neighborhood. [SPENCER DAILY REPORTER: PARKS, OKOBOJI REACH SETTLEMENT]

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