Planning commission recommends permit to reopen historic Watkins tavern as eating-and-drinking establishment; outdoor music set aside

The Stearns County Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit enabling Mike Ludkin to reopen the ground floor of a long-standing building in St. Nicholas as an eating-and-drinking establishment (Lukin's Bar).

Staff said the building dates to about 1900 and that prior permits (2017) authorized conversion of the upper level to living quarters. No exterior expansion is proposed. The property sits in the county shoreland overlay near School Lake but is not riparian; staff said parking will rely on on-street parking and an agreement with the Church of Saint Nicholas across the road. Staff recommended several conditions before the county issues a license, including an accessibility certificate signed by a licensed building official, written renewal of the church parking agreement (the church's written parking approval in the record runs through Feb. 19, 2030), sign compliance, and pre- and post-opening monitoring of septic effluent and water meter readings to confirm the septic system will handle the establishment's high-strength waste flows.

On the question of outdoor music, commissioners agreed not to include outdoor music authorization in the permit without separate notice and review. Commissioner Rich proposed removing proposed outdoor-music conditions from the CUP so the applicant could come back later for specific authorization; that amendment was accepted. The final motion recommended approval subject to the licensing and septic/parking/sign conditions and without authorization for outdoor music.

Applicant Mike Ludkin told the commission the building has been in his family for more than a century and he hoped to open in June; he said he had discussed accessibility and licensing with county staff. The motion passed on a 3-1 roll call; commissioners noted the item will be heard by the full County Board on May 6.