Isanti County board approves Purple Hawk Country Club on-sale liquor license after public objections

The Isanti County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an on-sale liquor license application from Purple Hawk Country Club after hearing public comment and legal objections.

Julie Eliason, owner of the Hawks Nest Bar and Restaurant in Cambridge Township, told the board she bought her business in July 2022 and warned the club’s license would take liquor sales from her business. "If they do the sales on the course, it's gonna ruin me. I mean, I will go out of business," Eliason said. Another speaker, Roy T. Shulen Jr., presented a written objection citing recorded deed covenants, title commitments and alleged tax delinquencies and argued those restrictions create a permanent barrier to licensure.

County staff responded that a review of GIS and title information showed the clubhouse and Eliason’s premises are separate parcels and that Purple Hawk’s application had met the county and state requirements to apply for licensure. The county attorney advised the board that its role is limited to deciding whether the application satisfies statutory and county requirements, not to resolve private contract or deed disputes. "If they meet the requirements and you don't, you ... the county has opened up for litigation," the county attorney said, urging the board to focus on the application criteria.

Following discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the on-sale liquor license application and another commissioner seconded the motion. The board carried the motion on a voice vote; the transcript records approval but does not contain a roll-call tally.

The board’s decision allows the licensing process to proceed; speakers who raised deed and contract objections were told those matters would need to be resolved in civil court rather than at the county licensing stage. The board placed the application on the regular agenda after removing it from the consent agenda for separate consideration.