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Neighbors press county over Boulder Creek Wine Bar licensing, owner defends compliance
Summary
Neighbors urged denial of a liquor license renewal for Boulder Creek Wine Bar, citing traffic, CUP compliance, and alleged off‑site sourcing of wine; owner Carol Zimmerman said the business is operating in compliance and contributes to the community. Planning and zoning will review reported violations.
Several neighbors urged the Sherburne County Board during open forum to oppose renewal of the Boulder Creek Wine Bar's liquor license, raising concerns that the business is operating in a residential neighborhood in ways that violate its conditional use permit.
"A quiet residential neighborhood with families should not have to worry about cars coming and going that have visited the bar with the possibility of being intoxicated," said Pam Price, a nearby resident who asked commissioners to vote against re‑licensure. Neighbors also alleged that the business had not been producing wine entirely from local fruit as required by the CUP. Price said she had spoken with state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement staff who told her the establishment had not registered required label approvals when it first opened and only recently completed some registrations.
Neighbor Charlene Sackre said the owners restored an incorrect parking lot rather than the location previously approved by zoning, a change she said let the business conceal vehicles and avoid accurate accounting of on‑site patrons. She said planning and zoning had been provided photographs documenting the work.
Owner Carol Zimmerman responded from the podium, saying the winery had complied with directives from county planning, had worked with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, and had made operational changes to meet regulations. "Everything the commissioners and zoning have asked us to do, we have done," Zimmerman said, adding the business supports local groups and draws community members together.
Administrator Bruce Messel confirmed the county had referred the rumors and complaints to staff: rumble‑strip concerns to Public Works, election‑related concerns to the Auditor/Treasurer, and the wine‑bar concerns to Planning and Zoning, where the matter was under review and described as an open investigation.
Next steps: planning and zoning will continue to review submitted documentation and compliance with the CUP and will report findings to the board. The license renewal hearing is scheduled for July 14 per the public speaker.
